ASEAN does not choose sides and does not balance through hard power.

“We cannot influence the destiny of America, China or India. What we can do is keep ASEAN united and resilient,” said former Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo.

Opening of the ASEAN Future Forum on April 23 in Hanoi.

Sharing with TG&VN recently, former Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo gave a general analysis of ASEAN's solid position in the current uncertain regional situation. The former Minister affirmed that ASEAN is very lucky in a changing world, but that luck does not come naturally, ASEAN has been united and resilient.

ASEAN has strategic significance

According to Mr. George Yeo, the importance of ASEAN to the prosperity of Southeast Asian countries and peace in Asia is undeniable. We are in the process of a historic transition to a multipolar world.

“Like tectonic plates moving, there are inevitable stresses. Frequent earthquakes and tsunamis are inevitable,” the former Singaporean foreign minister likened.

Former Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Analyzing the world situation trend, Mr. George Yeo said that the West has been accustomed to easily dominating the world for several hundred years and is now resisting change.

Adopting a defensive posture, the US is determined to slow down China's rise and sees it as its main challenge.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has helped the United States strengthen the Western alliance. However, as the conflict continues, that alliance is being tested. Support for Ukraine within the West is also waning.

According to George Yeo, the US-China strategic competition will continue for a long time. In the short term, US-China relations have stabilized because both sides know they must work together to stabilize the global economy. In addition, the US must focus on solving problems in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

However, US-China relations will be balanced when Washington clearly sees that Beijing has no ambitions of global hegemony.

In the context of extremely complex geopolitics, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore assessed that ASEAN has strategic significance in the region. For member countries, ASEAN is strategically important.

“Without ASEAN, Singapore will be increasingly put in a difficult position. Without ASEAN, Indonesia’s dream of a neutral Southeast Asia will become a fantasy,” Mr. George Yeo affirmed.

A vibrant ASEAN is helping to strengthen the independence and autonomy of its member states. The current tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China are also better managed within the framework of ASEAN-China relations.

Mr. George Yeo believes that whether the US can re-establish and maintain its preeminent position in the world is the biggest uncertainty in the world today.

Therefore, “we cannot influence the destiny of America, China or India. What we can do is keep ASEAN united and resilient,” Mr. George Yeo emphasized.

Such an ASEAN would help maintain peace in the wider region. ASEAN does not choose sides. “We are fortunate that Southeast Asia is not Northeast Asia, South Asia or the Middle East,” the veteran Singaporean diplomat asserted.

Former Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo speaks during a discussion session of the ASEAN Future Forum. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Flexible and creative

According to Mr. George Yeo, ASEAN balances not because of hard power but because of soft power.

To illustrate this, Mr. George Yeo analyzed that ASEAN has succeeded in creating a foundational framework for countries to meet for common purposes. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is the only framework that has the participation of South Korea, North Korea, the US, China, Russia and Japan. It was also ASEAN countries, first in Singapore and then in Hanoi, that facilitated the US-North Korea summits (in 2018 and 2019).

Clearly, ASEAN has been flexible and creative. Politically, ASEAN has been successful as all the world powers appreciate ASEAN's central role. Economically, ASEAN has made great strides in developing the intra-bloc economy, but more needs to be done.

According to the veteran Singaporean diplomat, there are many things that ASEAN leaders can promote to continue to develop ASEAN forward. For ASEAN's progress to be sustainable in this era of rapid change, ASEAN integration must be organic. In all 10 ASEAN member countries, the awareness of ASEAN needs to be stronger, promoting cultural and educational exchanges so that ASEAN people can better understand each other.

The future of ASEAN lies in the hands of the younger generation, but very few of them are familiar with the ASEAN flag or the ASEAN anthem. Therefore, ASEAN needs a series of initiatives, from the top down and from the bottom up, to make every ASEAN citizen understand that the ASEAN house is where they belong, that they are Southeast Asians.

“We may be Muslim but we are not in the Middle East; we may be Chinese but we are not Chinese. We are very diverse, probably the most diverse region in the world. But that is what unites us on the basis of multiculturalism. No matter where you come from, you are welcome here and you feel that, because somewhere in us, you find a reflection of yourself,” said George Yeo.

According to the veteran Singaporean diplomat, the recent successful ASEAN Future Forum (ARF) hosted by Vietnam demonstrates the common desire to ensure ASEAN’s common future. By steering the common ship strongly but flexibly, ASEAN will be strong enough to overcome all difficulties “no matter how much the ground shakes, no matter how strong the wind blows”.

A prosperous ASEAN will retain talent and capital within ASEAN. This will also encourage people from further afield to come and reside in ASEAN with the desire to become an ASEAN citizen.