The China-Central Asia summit demonstrates China’s more proactive diplomatic strategy regarding Central Asia. This is important now because the Russia-Ukraine war has left Russia with insufficient capacity to preserve order in Central Asia. Stability is the summit’s central aim.

Perhaps it’s a natural rebound after three years of COVID-19, but other factors may explain it better. Changes in the international order, a new emphasis on diplomatic autonomy, the need for cooperation with China and growing Chinese diplomatic influence are all having their effect.

The United States is playing a two-faced game: It says all the right peaceful words but then does things that undermine peace and understanding. The recent restart of high-level talks raises hope for renewed cooperation — and that should be welcomed even if it’s limited at first.

After three months without high-level dialogue or contacts between the American and Chinese governments, the past week saw a flurry of direct exchanges. The talks were meant to stabilize strained ties, put a floor under the deteriorating relationship and work out a road map for future discussions and exchanges. While prudence is warranted, there can be some solace taken in the fact that senior officials are at least talking directly again.

The Austria meeting between China’s Wang Yi and America’s Jake Sullivan has injected positive energy into China-U.S. relations, not only for both major economies but also for the global economic recovery. It kept the door open for future dialogue and moved a step closer to stability.

China and India are Asia’s two largest countries, and both are rising quickly to claim powerful positions in the international order. Their proximity has made them natural competitors - but their relationship’s pillars and challenges will be important to understand in the 21st Century.

The U.S. and the Philippines held their first 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington, D.C. in seven years, with the aim to strengthen strategic cooperation and mark a new era of partnership. Discussions included the ongoing Taiwan crisis and the Philippines' announcement of opening four additional bases to U.S. troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured that these bases will not be used for offensive purposes in the event of a Sino-American conflict over Taiwan, despite concerns of dependence and geopolitical provocation.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework adopted by the United States last year has led to a shift in the way East Asian countries perceive their relations with the world’s two great powers. The notion of reliance on China for economics and on the U.S. for security has begun to tilt westward.

China and the United States are showing early signs of rapprochement on major strategic issues, offering hope for positive movement in the future. But a gap remains between the Biden administration’s rhetoric and its deeds. Practical action to fulfill policy commitments is a crucial first step toward trust.

Generally speaking, the relationship between China and Southeast Asian countries is positive, which adds a degree of certainty in an uncertain world. However, if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. loses his way over the South China Sea and Taiwan, new uncertainty will come.