ASEAN Stakes a Claim for Neutrality
In the grand finale of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim used his special address as the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025 to send a clear message: Southeast Asia will not be forced to pick sides in rising geopolitical rivalries.
‘We won’t choose sides,’ Anwar declared, rejecting the idea that ASEAN must align exclusively with one power or another. His stance set the tone for the region’s approach to global tensions, urging all players to respect an inclusive order.
Echoing that sentiment, Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing told delegates that engaging with multiple partners is not just diplomatic posturing but a strategic necessity. Chan said: ‘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.’
Their remarks came after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asia-Pacific nations to ramp up military spending to 5 percent of GDP, framing it as essential to counter perceived threats from China. The call for a stronger defense posture met with resistance in a region wary of being dragged into great-power rivalries.
At a sideline briefing, Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, dismissed efforts to sow division between China and ASEAN. ‘The U.S. attempt to divide China and Asia-Pacific countries is ineffective because it lacks persuasiveness,’ he told reporters.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and changemakers watching this dynamic scene, the takeaway is clear: ASEAN is charting a course based on shared principles rather than power games. By refusing to pick sides, the bloc is asserting its role as a bridge-builder in an uncertain world.
As security and economic landscapes shift, the hands-off approach could redefine regional partnerships and trade flows. Whether the message resonates beyond the halls of Shangri-La may depend on how key players respond to ASEAN’s call for principle-driven cooperation.
Reference(s):
ASEAN leaders at Shangri-La Dialogue: 'We won't choose sides'
cgtn.com
