All systems go for KL signing of historic AEC declaration

Kuala Lumpur

WITH the Asean Economic Community (AEC) due to take off next month, the 10 Asean leaders meeting in the next three days in the Malaysian capital will have their hands full putting the finishing touches to the supporting documents.

But they are likely to be distracted by a more pressing matter at hand: the escalation of tension in the South China Sea maritime and territorial dispute in recent weeks, with China and the US upping the ante.

And both the US and China - the US represented by President Barack Obama and China by Premier Li Keqiang - will be present in Kua…