APEC summits serve as political cushion

Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies, aside from a few including Barack Obama, have gathered at Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok. What will they talk about? This is an interesting question.

APEC summits have focused on economic agendas and avoided politics.

The US has repeatedly called for the introduction of political topics, a suggestion which has been rejected by Asian countries including China.

Political divergence remains the biggest problem in Asia, which includes different ideologies and values as well as various territorial disputes.

It's highly likely that talking about these divergences at multilateral occasions like APEC summits will lead to quarrels and divisions.

The US, which advocates introducing political topics, does not want to treat all countries equally.

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