PETALING JAYA: South-East Asian countries should stand up to tell the United States and China that their increasing rivalry can damage the region’s growth, says an international relations scholar.

While Asean countries generally took a non-aligned stance when it came to relations with the two global powerhouses, Prof Kishore Mahbubani said it was time for the region’s countries to take it a step further.

The Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore said the region can be affected by turbulence from increasing US-China tensions, especially at a time where Asean countries were focusing on their economic growth.

“But it’s very difficult for us to focus on this if we have to worry about how we deal with both US and China without being caught in the crossfire.

“We should take one step further and tell both US and China to find ways and means of moderating their contest as it’s also hurting other countries, including Asean,” he said during the “Why the Future is Asia” session at the Asia News Network (ANN) Summit 2024 here yesterday.

Prof Kishore said the contest is also bad for global challenges, like climate change.

“Both the US and China should press the pause button on their contest and focus on fighting climate change.

“That’s the kind of message we have to convey to both Beijing and Washington,” he said.

Prof Kishore said China-India relations were another concerning geopolitical challenge, saying Asean too can try playing a bridging role between the two.

Another thing Asean can do to improve its prospects is try persuading India to reconsider its decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade deal, he said.

At a forum later, Jakarta Post deputy chief editor Adisti Sukma Sawitri said Asian countries should be the centre of economic growth, which could be achieved through peace.

“How the US engages with Asean really determines the future of the region.

“There should be room for Asean countries, and other Asian countries in general, to play their roles in the issue between the US and China.

“Whichever the countries they choose as partners, the message should be towards prosperity and growth,” she said during the ANN’s Plenary Panel Discussion on Harris versus Trump: Impact of US Elections on Asia.

The panel discussion comprised US, Eurasia Group research head and managing director Jon Lieber, Wilson Center and Founder, Asean Wonk Newsletter, US fellow Dr Prasanth Parameswaran, The Korea Herald chief editorial writer Yang Sung-jin and Adisti, moderated by ANN co-founder Suthichai Yoon.

The panel members also discussed the potential effects of the US election in November, between two main contenders Republican’s Donald J. Trump and Democrat’s Kamala Harris.

Lieber, in his presentation, said despite both candidates possessing different approaches, the consensus was to address the hegemony of China – not only on the Asian level but also globally.

He added that Harris’ bid for the presidency was seen as the continuation of current US president Joe Biden’s administration.

“The US for now, especially with the last two or three administrations in a row, were trying to pivot towards Asia because of its growing importance in global security and economy.

“So much energy by the policymakers in Washington is focused on Asia right now, despite the bipartisan agreement that China represents existential threat to the US, which would be expected to continue after the election,” he said.

Despite the common ground on China’s threat against the US, Lieber added that, however, Trump’s poll campaign has been more explicit in his desire to cut off the access of American dollars going into China and its goods into the US.

“This will create a massive headache for countries like Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Vietnam, who either produce a lot for Chinese companies and export to the US or have deep connections with Chinese supply chains in order to produce for the US,” he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/07/tell-us-and-china-to-hit-pause-button-asean-urged