At the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, ASEAN leaders showcased a refreshing commitment to balanced principles amid global geopolitical pressures. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will chair ASEAN in 2025, made a special address emphasizing that the region will not choose sides in international rivalries.
Echoing these views, Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing shared his belief that instead of aligning with one superpower over another, Southeast Asia should engage with all key players. He stated, "If we have to choose sides, may we choose the side of principles – principles that uphold a global order where we do not descend into the law of the jungle, where the mighty do what they wish and the weak suffer what they must."
This balanced approach emerges just after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asia-Pacific countries to increase military spending to counter perceived threats from the Chinese mainland. Countering that narrative, Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, remarked that attempts to drive a wedge between the Chinese mainland and Asia-Pacific nations lack persuasiveness and are unlikely to succeed.
By embracing a stance rooted in universal principles rather than polarizing alignments, ASEAN is sending a powerful message: diplomacy and cooperation can triumph over division. This inspiring dialogue resonates with a digitally savvy, youth-driven audience seeking clear, engaging insights into global affairs. 🌏🤝
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ASEAN leaders at Shangri-La Dialogue: 'We won't choose sides'
cgtn.com
