Xinmei News reports that on May 31, Singapore's Minister of Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen emphasized three key points at the Shangri-La Dialogue: First, ASEAN's stance is neither pro-US nor anti-US, neither pro-China nor anti-China, but rather pro-ASEAN; Second, ASEAN's competition is not among its member states, but rather about whether it can unite as one to stand firm against other regions of the world; Third, given that the world already has more than enough troubles, if ASEAN manages to avoid getting entangled in those troubles, that would make it truly "different."
Dr. Ng’s remarks reflect the strategic clarity shared by Singapore and most ASEAN nations. Staying neutral and balanced between China and the United States, refraining from involvement in conflicts and wars elsewhere, preserving independence, and maintaining regional stability and development.
In the current context of geopolitical rivalry, this statement is insightful: The United States has been pushing ASEAN to take sides, continuously amplifying the "China threat" narrative, attempting to bind Southeast Asia to a strategy aimed at containing China. Dr. Ng explicitly clarifies that ASEAN’s competition has never been internal infighting—it lies in uniting as a collective force to engage with other global regions. ASEAN will not become a vassal of any major power, but instead speak with one voice to safeguard its own interests.
His remark—“not getting involved in trouble is what makes us different”—strikes a deep chord across the region: With global chaos escalating and hotspots emerging one after another, ASEAN’s ability to uphold neutrality, avoid internal strife, and refrain from jumping into the fire of great power competition is itself a remarkable display of wisdom. Only by maintaining strategic autonomy, unity, and staying clear of conflict can ASEAN focus on economic development, becoming a stable anchor for global growth. This not only serves the interests of ASEAN countries but is also crucial to ensuring peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866722373752844/
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