Japan, ASEAN to upgrade ties in Dec. amid growing China, U.S. clout

Leaders of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will formally elevate their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in December during a special summit commemorating their 50 years of friendship and cooperation, the chief of the regional bloc said Monday.The plan comes as the United States and China increasingly vie for influence in Southeast Asia. It follows both countries upgrading their ties with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership -- China in 2021 and the United States in 2022."There has been a lot of discussion already (about the planned upgrade), and…READ FULL ARTICLE