For the first time, the Asean joint communique issued at the end of its 47th annual meeting in early August mentioned "disagreements" among Asean ministers — a departure from the past. In previous practices, the Asean members would bury their differences under the carpet. Now, some of them prefer to dramatise and wash their dirty linen for all to see. This could be the grouping's Achilles' heel in months to come.
Within the grouping, the Philippines has been the most enthusiastic in inviting the US as a countervailing power while other conflicting Asean parties were more discreet. Manila continued to view Asean as a paper tiger and wants to push its colleagues for tougher stances and actions.
The latest Asean joint communique referring to the maritime dispute was strong and thorough, considering the Asean chair's excellent ties with China. As a 'conflicted party' to the South China Sea, Kuala Lumpur has pursued quiet diplomacy with firm positions. As a former comrade in arms, Vietnam has an extra party-to-party-channel to tackle mutual concerns and trust deficits. Hanoi often backs a strong role for Asean. And, considering its size, Brunei has enjoyed good cooperation with China over their disputed claims.
Finally, Asean must be able to connect with the two countries' core interests and strategic engagements, which have many facets and a broad range of issues.
At this juncture, the South China Sea dispute commands their interest, enabling Asean to observe how parties manoeuvre their core interests, which are pivotal to our survival. As such, Asean can learn and know exactly when to cosy up - or even the right moment to tap or rub shoulders. Any effort by either power to manipulate regional or potential conflict for hegemonic ambitions must be strongly resisted.
In comparison with other regional groupings, Asean has been fortunate to have gone this far without the kind of inertia and squabbling that can keep them hostage. The exception was the Phnom Penh fiasco in 2012, which stunned momentarily the whole organisation.
As Xi and Obama team up for their most crucial talks, Asean leaders must send a strong message that they have to follow the Asean lead and its code of conduct - as exemplified in the 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation - if they want to operate in the region. Their strategic trust must be Asean-centred.