SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has acknowledged that
competing territorial claims in the South China Sea is a major issue for ASEAN.
He says the credibility of the
regional grouping would be severely damaged, if ASEAN does not address the
problem.
Mr Lee was speaking at the
Central Party School in Beijing, where he gave a speech entitled, "China and
the world - prospering and progressing together".
He says ASEAN should not take
sides but instead adopt a position that is neutral, forward-looking and
encourages the peaceful resolution of issues.
He believes the 6-point
principles proposed by Indonesia and accepted by ASEAN, achieves this.
Singapore also hopes that ASEAN
and China will soon begin talks on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Prime Minister Lee notes that
many countries are watching to see how China manages difficult problems with
its neighbours, taking it as a sign of what China's rise means for the rest of
the world.
ASEAN, he says, is also being
watched to see if the regional grouping can deal effectively with difficult
issues.
Mr Lee adds that even though
Singapore does not take sides in the South China Sea issue, the nation does
have certain critical interests at stake.
Firstly, as a small country, it
is in Singapore's interest for international disputes to be settled peacefully,
and accordance with international law.
Secondly, freedom of navigation
is also of fundamental interest to Singapore, given the importance of trade and
the South China Sea to the country's continued survival and development.
Thirdly, as a small Southeast
Asian country, ASEAN is critical to Singapore.
Mr Lee says Singapore's security
depends on a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia, which in turn depends on a
cohesive ASEAN.
He says ASEAN must remain united
in order to exercise influence on the international stage, to have its voices
heard, and to secure and advance its common interest.
But if ASEAN is weakened,
Singapore's security and influence will also be diminished.
Mr Lee notes the many overlapping
claims by multiple claimants in the South China Sea are unlikely to be resolved
any time soon.
Sovereignty disputes are complex
and hard to resolve, and no side can easily abandon their claim without high
political costs.
Mr Lee calls on all sides to
avoid escalating tensions or precipitating confrontations that will affect the
international standing of the region.
He says a divided or discredited
ASEAN will force member states to choose between major powers.
It will also turn Southeast Asia
into a new arena for rivalries and contention.
Noting that no one wins in such a
situation, Mr Lee argues that ASEAN has a key role to play in maintaining
regional stability.
He says major powers are
comfortable to let ASEAN take the lead, and let it be a fulcrum for discussion
and cooperation.
"But this requires an ASEAN
that is united, effective, and friendly with all the major powers, including
China," Mr Lee notes.
Mr Lee says China has actively
engaged ASEAN, and ASEAN countries not only welcome China's engagement but are
also keen to expand the scope of this mutually beneficial partnership.
Mr Lee points out that China has
a strategic interest in a stable and prosperous Asia.
A thriving neighbourhood will be
a valuable partner in China's development, and a source of investments and raw
materials.
Maria Siow
- CNA/xq
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