Latest news with #AseanRegionalForum
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Asean remains a credible partner on global stage, says Thai minister
Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. -- Photo: The Nation Thailand/ANN KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- The Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) remains a relevant and credible partner amid increasingly shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics, said Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He emphasised that Asean's cohesiveness and commitment to peace and economic cooperation are key to its resilience. "These elements are what make Asean strong together,' he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits held in Malaysia's capital last week. He said maintaining regional security and stability is vital for Asean to continue to be seen by its external partners as a region of peace and prosperity. He highlighted several Asean-led mechanisms that have continued to be the cornerstone of the region's security and peace architecture, such as the Asean Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code for interstate relations in the region and beyond. As of October 2024, 55 countries are parties to the TAC while several others are also seeking to accede to the treaty. "We are moving in the right direction. The concept of Asean strong together will inspire confidence in the global community that Asean is a worthy and credible partner,' said Maris. Asean was founded in Bangkok on August 8, 1967, as a non-aligned regional response to the Cold War, with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore as founding members. Asean today consists of 10 members after the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Timor-Leste is expected to officially join as its 11th member by the end of this year. With a combined population of almost 700 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$4 trillion, the bloc is on course to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030. Since its establishment, the bloc has continued to evolve to meet the challenges of the times, reflecting its pragmatism and strategic role as a constructive convener of powers. Maris said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted during the summit is a testament to the bloc's ambition and long-term commitment to build a more integrated, prosperous and resilient future. The vision is anchored on three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural, and reflects the bloc's inclusive approach to development and integration. The Thai top diplomat also commended Malaysia's role and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as Asean Chair 2025. "With his guidance, I can see that Asean will move in a correct direction,' he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean remains a credible partner on global stage: Thai minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains a relevant and credible partner amid increasingly shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics, said Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He emphasised that Asean's cohesiveness and commitment to peace and economic cooperation are key to its resilience. "These elements are what make Asean strong together," he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits held in Malaysia's capital last week. He said maintaining regional security and stability is vital for Asean to continue to be seen by its external partners as a region of peace and prosperity. He highlighted several Asean-led mechanisms that have continued to be the cornerstone of the region's security and peace architecture, such as the Asean Regional Forum, East Asia Summit, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code for interstate relations in the region and beyond. As of October 2024, 55 countries are parties to the TAC while several others are also seeking to accede to the treaty. "We are moving in the right direction. The concept of Asean strong together will inspire confidence in the global community that Asean is a worthy and credible partner," said Maris. Asean was founded in Bangkok on August 8, 1967, as a non-aligned regional response to the Cold War, with Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore as founding members. Asean today consists of 10 members after the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Timor-Leste is expected to officially join as its 11th member by the end of this year. With a combined population of almost 700 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$4 trillion, the bloc is on course to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030. Since its establishment, the bloc has continued to evolve to meet the challenges of the times, reflecting its pragmatism and strategic role as a constructive convener of powers. Maris said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted during the summit is a testament to the bloc's ambition and long-term commitment to build a more integrated, prosperous and resilient future. The vision is anchored on three core pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural, and reflects the bloc's inclusive approach to development and integration. The Thai top diplomat also commended Malaysia's role and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as Asean Chair 2025. "With his guidance, I can see that Asean will move in a correct direction," he added.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean must come up with mechanism for Indo-Pacific security
The anxieties of the Indo-Pacific came into full view at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles demanded an explanation from China for what he called an "extraordinary military build-up". Later, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. branded China's conduct in the South China Sea as "absolutely irresponsible and reckless". The message they convey is deeply interconnected: the Indo-Pacific is on edge. Two key United States allies — one a resident power, the other a proximate neighbour to China — are openly expressing their strategic alarm. Australia's concerns are rooted in the opaque and accelerated nature of China's military modernisation. From aircraft carriers and hypersonic missiles to deepening cyber and space capabilities, China is not merely modernising — it is transforming the strategic equation of the Indo-Pacific. For Canberra, this raises fundamental questions: What are China's intentions? What security guarantees can regional states rely on when the regional balance of power is tilting so rapidly? As a staunch member of the Aukus partnership and a longtime US ally, Australia is not unfamiliar with military alliances. Yet, it seeks more than just deterrence. It wants reassurance, especially from Beijing that strategic competition will not descend into confrontation. In this sense, Marles' remarks are not hawkish, but rather reflective of a nation navigating uncertainty. And it is precisely this uncertainty that Asean, through the Asean Regional Forum and Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), must address. For the Philippines, the danger is not speculative. It is already confronting Chinese maritime coercion in the South China Sea. From water cannon attacks near Second Thomas Shoal to sonar interference in its exclusive economic zone, the Philippines is on the front line of China's maritime assertiveness. Teodoro's choice of words — "irresponsible" and "reckless" — is not mere diplomatic posturing. It reflects the lived reality of a Southeast Asian state struggling to assert its sovereignty amid an asymmetrical power contest. That said, Philippines and China must redouble efforts to co-exist: otherwise, Manila risks being sucked into the vortex of US politics, rendering the Philippines all but a surrogate of the US. The risk of escalation is real. Any miscalculation in these contested waters could quickly drag in external powers, especially with the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty now more operational than symbolic. A localised maritime incident could rapidly spiral into a wider regional conflict. Both Canberra's demand for clarity and Manila's call for accountability point to a shared regional need: a trusted, neutral forum to manage tensions, build confidence and enforce norms. That forum is Asean. And it must act before others do. The Asean Regional Forum, long criticised for being a talk shop, must now institutionalise mechanisms that promote transparency in military modernisation. Asean can propose a Regional Military Transparency Registry, encouraging major players, including China, to voluntarily disclose exercises, deployments and strategic doctrines. This will not eliminate mistrust, but it can begin to manage it. The ADMM-Plus, which includes China, Australia, the US and all major Indo-Pacific actors, offers a more defence-oriented platform. Here, Asean should advocate for the establishment of an Incidents-at-Sea Protocol, modelled on Cold War-era US-Soviet agreements. Such a mechanism would allow real-time communication between naval forces during close encounters, thereby reducing the risk of unintended conflict. Additionally, Asean must press for the long-delayed Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to become legally binding. It is no longer enough to merely discuss principles. Enforcement mechanisms must follow. The Philippines' repeated confrontations with China show that vague promises are insufficient. Asean must also creatively utilise its middle powers — Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam — to initiate back-channel diplomacy to build trust among conflicting parties without the constraints of formal negotiation. In this context, Malaysia's current role as Asean chair and its tradition of non-alignment make it particularly suited to initiate such Track 2 dialogues. Australia's quest for strategic reassurance and the Philippines' demand for accountability reflect a larger regional cry for order, predictability and norms. Asean, by virtue of its geography and centrality in regional architecture, remains the best-positioned body to take up this task.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean pragmatism counts a lot for gulf council, China
AS the global landscape fractures into hostile camps, marked by trade wars, proxy conflicts and technological decoupling, the search for neutral, pragmatic and strategic platforms intensifies. For two rising poles of influence — the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China — that search increasingly leads to one place: Asean. This pivot towards Southeast Asia is not cosmetic. It reflects a deeper recalibration of international diplomacy and commerce, where Asean's blend of neutrality, strategic centrality and economic vitality makes it an indispensable hub in a divided world. At a time when international summits are increasingly weaponised by ideological battles, Asean stands out for its non-confrontational ethos. Its foundational principle of non-interference, combined with a consensus-based decision-making culture, makes it a rare platform where states from vastly different systems — democratic, authoritarian, capitalist and socialist — can meet without fear of censure. For the GCC, whose ties with the West often oscillate between strategic alignment and normative friction, Asean provides a respectful and non-judgmental setting. China, too, finds in Asean an interlocutor that does not invoke ideological rivalry or historical baggage. In contrast to the tension-prone Indo-Pacific forums dominated by United States allies, Asean offers a corridor of calm engagement. This diplomatic neutrality allows Asean to act as a convener, a bridge-builder, and increasingly, a rule-shaper in forums like the East Asia Summit and the Asean Regional Forum. For the GCC and China, these qualities make Asean not just attractive, but essential. Beyond diplomacy, Asean serves a vital role in connecting the economic strengths of the GCC and China. The Gulf states are energy giants seeking diversified, high-growth markets. Asean countries, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, represent dynamic economies with growing demand for oil, gas and petrochemical products. At the same time, Gulf sovereign wealth funds have begun viewing Asean as a strategic hedge: investing in halal food supply chains, Islamic finance, tourism infrastructure and tech startups. Meanwhile, China sees Asean as the linchpin of its Belt and Road Initiative, particularly its maritime dimension. Ports, railways and highways from Malaysia to Laos to Indonesia are being reimagined as arteries of Chinese connectivity, enabling a flow of goods and influence from East Asia to the Middle East and Africa. Asean's geographic centrality — between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and anchoring key maritime chokepoints — makes it more than a transit point. It is the convergence zone for two of the most ambitious economic strategies of the 21st century. What further deepens the engagement is the civilisational comfort both the GCC and China feel in dealing with Asean. For the Gulf, Asean is home to the world's largest Muslim population, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand and the Philippines offering religious and cultural commonality. Rather than rivalry, there is cooperation in Islamic finance, halal certification and religious education. Gulf states see Asean as a partner in promoting a moderate and modern narrative of Islam. China, though officially secular, approaches Asean with a cultural diplomacy rooted in Confucian ideals of harmony, respect and relational governance. It promotes people-to-people exchanges, scholarships and Confucius institutes as soft pathways of affinity. In contrast to its more adversarial relationships with India, Japan or Australia, China sees Asean as a region with shared developmental goals and manageable historical sensitivities. Perhaps the most profound reason for the GCC's and China's preference for Asean is that it demonstrates how a non-Western model of multilateralism can function effectively. Forums like Asean+3, the East Asia Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are not framed by Western ideologies or power asymmetries. Instead, they reflect a logic of mutual respect, gradualism and functional cooperation. No lectures, no sanctions and no strings attached. For the GCC and China, who have grown increasingly disillusioned with Western-dominated institutions like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and even the United Nations Security Council, Asean-led platforms offer both legitimacy and flexibility. They are not about replacing the West, but creating parallel systems that better reflect the interests of the Global South. Asean in its quiet pragmatism has become a super-connector — a diplomatic and economic axis that binds East Asia, the Gulf and the wider Indo-Pacific.
