June 12, 2011
ASEAN's ties with regional & international groups developing
ASEAN's ties with various regional and international groupings are an organic architecture which is gradually developing, says Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He was speaking at a plenary session at the World Economic Forum on East Asia in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sunday.
Mr Lee said ASEAN's ties with groupings like the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Plus Three (which involves China, Japan and South Korea) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have helped to strengthen ties with one another.
He said while there's temptation to make things neater, it's wiser to accept the "untidiness" of these arrangements and let the structures evolve.
The World Economic Forum celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. And the occasion is especially important for host country Indonesia as it is also the current ASEAN chair.
Both Prime Minister Lee and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shared the stage for a special plenary session during the forum's opening ceremony.
"ASEAN wants to connect our Association with the global community of nations. That is the future of ASEAN in my view, and of course ASEAN must do more. We have to deal with so many challenges internally as well as externally but I believe very strongly we are on the right track, and we would be able to achieve our goals," said President Yudhoyono.
Prime Minister Lee explained that while the future is unknown, he believes Asia will be a big part of the 21st century.
He said both America and China are important partners and that the 10-member
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would like to strengthen ties with both big powers.
Mr Lee said ASEAN sees great potential in China's prosperity and development.
And its extension of relations across Asia has brought about great potential for trade and investments as well as tourism in the region.
This would also depend on China being good friends with America and it would be easier for ASEAN to be friends with both.
On the value of China's yuan, Mr Lee said he would prefer to see a gradual rise. Replying to a question on the subject at the forum, he said: "I would see that a gradual realignment of the currency is helpful."
He said a stronger yuan would help China redirect its economy away from export-led growth, but he acknowledged that the politics were complicated because a stronger currency could bring the unwelcome side effect of higher unemployment.
Mr Lee also noted that the United States and China have "avoided a collision so far" over the revaluation of the yuan, and "I hope they continue to make progress".
Separately, the chief of the World Economic Forum also congratulated Prime Minister Lee for his party's resounding victory in Singapore's recent General Election.
Professor Klaus Schwab noted that many European leaders would be delighted with the percentage of votes secured by Mr Lee and his party.
Before leaving Jakarta for home, Mr Lee also had a meeting with President Yudhoyono. They discussed the recently-concluded ASEAN Summit in Indonesia and expanding the areas of cooperation between both countries.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1134743/1/.html
