Southeast Asia (SEA) is the epicentre of the US-China global conflict and the crucial geopolitical linchpin in the Indo-Pacific region. There, the affected countries continually endeavor to avoid having to cast their lot with one or the other of the two great powers. Given the numerous military incidents in the South China in recent years, it is not surprising that they appeal to the unity of the region and reaffirm the centrality of their regional organization ASEAN to ensure their own security. A further vital interest of the ASEAN countries is free trade treaties, especially the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Assuming that the agreement is concluded in the second half of 2020, it would give rise to the world�s largest trading bloc.