Shangri-La puzzle.

It is obvious that China and the US are not on the same page. They differ tooth and nail when it comes to the evolving security paradigm, especially in the South China Sea. Likewise, they are poles apart in fomenting a common denominator in terms of trade too. Thus, the ongoing war of nerves in the realms of commerce and technology is pitching them at loggerheads at the altar of the developing world's progress and prosperity. Similar fissures are evident at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore where, reports say, Beijing and Washington are not entertaining each other's defence reps, simply graduating the rivalry to new heights.

The tensions between the world powers have set a bad taste well before the commencement of Asia's top security meeting. It is official that Beijing has snubbed Washington as China's new Defence Minister Li Shangfu declined to meet US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. China has blamed the US for torpedoing diplomatic gestures by taking the region for a ride as it cobbles military alliances with Asia's who's who. The referral is at AUKUS, which tightens ties between the US, Britain and Australia, as well as...