Writing in the South China Morning Post, SIIA Chairman Simon Tay says ASEAN must go beyond simply avoiding a choice between the United States and China and instead create more options for itself.
While the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may offer some breathing room, strategic competition continues across trade, technology and security. ASEAN must go beyond passive hedging and forge stronger middle-power partnerships to secure greater strategic autonomy.
Mr Tay sets out a “Minus 2” perspective: not excluding the US and China, or forming a third bloc, but looking beyond the two powers and asking what other countries can do together.
He highlights opportunities for deeper cooperation with partners such as Japan, South Korea, India, Europe and Australia across areas including technology, advanced manufacturing, investment, green technologies, education and security.
As he writes, “Strategic autonomy is not secured simply by refusing to choose. It grows from having more choices and a Minus 2 perspective.”
The upcoming ASEAN Summit, he notes, is an opportunity to show that the region has agency.
Read the full commentary: https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3368638/us-china-world-asean-must-do-more-avoid-choosing-sides
