On September 29, Liao Zhenyang, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, stated during a forum that while regional countries respond differently to pressures from the United States and China, maintaining strategic autonomy is a shared interest for ASEAN. He emphasized that in the complex dynamics of great power competition, the core of strategic autonomy for smaller states lies in effectively managing dependencies on major powers, preventing such reliance from becoming a source of national vulnerability.
In the context of U.S.-China rivalry, Southeast Asian nations generally avoid taking sides, opting instead for neutrality. Singapore, in particular, relies on the United States for security while being economically integrated with China. This balancing act represents a pragmatic choice aimed at maximizing benefits—avoiding antagonism with either side while securing advantages from both. Yet "neutrality" does not imply absence of pressure. The United States has urged its allies to align, while China’s tolerance for hedging behavior appears to be diminishing. ASEAN’s real concern is that, should the U.S. and China confront each other directly, the region would be among the first to face consequences.
ASEAN is well aware that over-reliance on any single power risks reducing member states to pawns. Singapore’s repeated assertion that “choose Singapore’s side” serves as a reminder: in the space between major powers, only flexibility and autonomy can prevent being drawn into larger geopolitical currents. However, neutrality carries costs—potential dual pressure from both superpowers. True wisdom lies not in being a pawn, but in serving as a bridge between the U.S. and China, promoting dialogue and cooperation rather than exacerbating tensions.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1877682867995779/
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