[0:00]This wasn't the opening ceremony Vietnam had in mind as it takes its turn to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
[0:10]Like many events around the world, coronavirus changed plans, but Vietnam's quick and robust response to the pandemic, which has infected fewer than 400 people here, meant that at least a meeting was able to take place, just with no foreign leaders.
[0:27]The COVID-19 outbreak has had consequences in economic development and social stability for ASEAN member states. We feel the sorrow of thousands of families that have lost loved ones to the virus.
[0:41]And the economic situation is expected to get worse, even as some international borders in the region begin to reopen. The Asian Development Bank's revised outlook for this year has the combined economies of the block contracting by 2.7%.
[0:56]On the sidelines of the summit, trade ministers are continuing to negotiate the regional comprehensive economic partnership. It's a 15-nation trade deal that suffered several delays and setbacks, including the withdrawal of India, and is now expected to be finalized next year.
[1:12]But Thailand's Prime Minister wants it signed this year to help speed up recovery from the pandemic. Vietnam also wants to see concrete progress, if not an agreement this year, on a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
[1:25]Several Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, have territorial disputes with China, which claims almost the entire area.
[1:34]Raising tensions, the United States this week positioned three of its aircraft carriers in the Philippine Sea, close to disputed areas.
[1:43]Vietnam is seen as the strongest opponent in the region to Beijing's assertiveness, which may increase while the world, in particular the United States, is preoccupied with coronavirus.
[1:54]But Vietnam's position is one that has to balance with its own economic interests.
[1:59]The highest value of trade between any ASEAN member state to China, Vietnam rank number one. Hence, they can separate between economic issues, social cultural issues and security issues.
[2:13]But Hanoi may push hard to have the code of conduct signed this year, while it's the host nation of the Southeast Asian block, with terms more favorable to its position.
[2:22]The next summit, also in Vietnam, which usually involves leaders or representatives from outside the region, like China and the United States, will take place in November. Wayne Hay, Al Jazeera, Bangkok.
