As this transition becomes more acute, other energy rich countries, as well as non-aligned nations sympathetic to their views and in need of energy themselves, will join this anti-American movement.
It is also worth remembering that when Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia set up ASEAN in 1967, Southeast Asia was divided into two Cold War blocs: communist Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, versus the other essentially pro-Western nations (apart from non-aligned Burma).
Ms Khan says it suits South Africa's geo-political ambitions, adding to its prominent role in the Non-Aligned Movement and the fact that it is the only African country in the G20 group of nations.