BANGKOK -- European and Asian leaders are set to gather virtually for a two-day meeting beginning Thursday, with the former expected to strengthen broad Indo-Pacific ties in a break from their past China-centric approach.
The first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in three years offers Europe a chance to deepen economic relations as the world gradually emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. But several contentious issues hang over the proceedings, including human rights, European Union sanctions on host country Cambodia, Taiwan tensions and the well-being of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai.
