“机会主义”？专家评估马尼拉在特朗普与习近平会晤前的“小多边”议程
‘Opportunistic’: experts weigh Manila’s minilateral agenda ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
菲律宾推动加强“小多边”防务联系，并提升东盟安全作用，分析人士对此看法分歧。部分专家认为，马尼拉借担任东盟轮值主席国之机倡议“Squad”联盟，可深化核心安全伙伴关系；另一些人质疑这个由美国、菲律宾、日本和澳大利亚组成、旨在制衡中国影响力的非正式防务组织实际分量，并警告美国主导的小组外交可能削弱东盟中心地位，限制马尼拉的战略空间。
The Philippines’ dual push for stronger “minilateral” defence links and a more robust Asean security role is dividing analysts, with one calling the move “opportunistic”.
Some experts view Manila’s advocacy for the “Squad” alliance as a strategic opportunity to deepen core security partnerships while chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Others question how much actual weight is carried by this informal defence grouping – comprising the United States, the Philippines, Japan and Australia – which aims to counter China’s influence in the region.
They also caution that a flurry of US-led small-group diplomacy could undermine Asean’s centrality in a coming summit and leave Manila with less strategic leeway ahead of next month’s Trump-Xi talks.
来源：南华早报 · scmp.com