US, China, Russia join Asia summit amid regional disputes

By EILEEN NG and NINIEK KARMINI
Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Premier Li Keqiang are joining an annual summit of 18 Asia-Pacific nations by video, as some regional leaders voice concern about the sharpening of competition between major powers over trade, Taiwan, democracy and Beijing’s assertive actions. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also speak at the East Asia Summit, organized by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Indonesian President Joko Widodo told his Australian counterpart that Indonesia does not want an arms race in the region after expressing worry about a U.S. nuclear submarine deal with the U.K. and Australia. The meetings are also overshadowed by a diplomatic standoff after military-ruled Myanmar skipped the summit to protest ASEAN’s move to bar its leader from attending.