ASEAN has responded to rising tensions in the region by cooperating more on defence and security, and providing platforms for dialogue.
Speaking at the annual Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo on Thursday , Mr Wong highlighted three global challenges that could threaten stability in the region: geopolitical tensions, economic protectionism and climate change.the most dangerous flashpoint in the region, which has the potential to drag Asia into any confrontation between the United States and China.
“We engage with all major powers, and we avoid exclusive commitments with any single party,” he said, adding that multiple summits hosted by the regional bloc offer neutral platforms for dialogue. “This gives all of our partners concrete stakes in Asia's peace and prosperity, and we believe this makes for a more stable and balanced region.”ASEAN is taking similar steps on the economic front, as globalisation in the last three decades threatens to give way to a more fragmented global economy.
To prevent this, the bloc is working to maintain more open economic cooperation, with broad participation across the globe. While he said it is understandable why nations and companies want to de-risk or diversify, Mr Wong also warned that taking it too far could prompt reactions and unintended consequences.
As a leader in green technology, Japan can play a key role in facilitating sustainability financing and projects in Southeast Asia, he said.“Japan has historically adopted a low-key posture in security. But with the passage of time, there is scope for Japan to make a greater contribution in this area,” he noted.
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