Asean upgrades strategic ties with China, says Myanmar an ‘integral’ member

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc on Thursday said it had agreed with China to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a day after reaching a similar deal with Australia.Australia’s clinching of the elevated partnership was a symbolic win for Canberra in getting ahead of Beijing in securing the first such deal with the Southeast Asia region, which has become a strategic battleground between China and the US.The announcement was made by Brunei’s…