Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?

The summit between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the Sunnylands estate in California on Monday and Tuesday highlights the growing significance of the US' relations with the 10-member Southeast Asian organization.

It is an unprecedented meeting between the two sides, as it is the first time that the US has hosted such a summit. US President Barack Obama and his ASEAN guests will no doubt have a lot to say on trade, security and their desire for a more meaningful strategic partnership. And China will certainly be a factor in all their discussions.

The question is in what way will the "China factor" be addressed and will it have a positive bearing on the region.