RAAP—033
ASEAN HANDSHAKE
At ASEAN summits, heads of state stand in a single line, each crossing the right arm over the left to grasp the right hand of the neighbour while the left hand reaches back to clasp the left hand of the opposite neighbour, forming a continuous chain of interlaced “X”-shaped forearms.
The configuration visually encodes ASEAN’s core principles: horizontal equality among sovereign members, mutual support expressed through reciprocal grips, and collective unity without hierarchical distinction.
The configuration visually encodes ASEAN’s core principles: horizontal equality among sovereign members, mutual support expressed through reciprocal grips, and collective unity without hierarchical distinction.