Fortunately
this gap is increasingly being filled by Simon Tay who started to present a
more neutral view in the intellectual debate and on what is good for Singapore
without becoming a little USA while calling other states as Trojan Horses. Do
they know what is a Trojan Horse when they see one, or is one themselves
without knowing it?
In his
latest article in the Today paper titled ‘How will S China Sea dispute affect
business in Asean, Simon discussed the mutually interdependent relationship between
Asean and China and how China is taking the initiative in the AIIB and OBOR to
improve connectivity and infrastructural development in Asia that would benefit
Asean as a whole compare to the military buildup and dangerous provocations by
the Americans and Japan that would lead the region to war. Which is the better
option going forward, to promote more trade or more wars?
China needs
peace and Asean as much as Asean needs peace and China for the good of
everyone. Why would Asean take an increasingly hostile stance against China?
Why would Asean increasingly align itself to the Americans to promote American
military domination in the region? There
are great economic and strategic benefits both for Asean and China with more
cooperation than antagonism. According
to Simon Tay, Asean does not need to be anyone’s puppet but be a worthy partner
to key players in the region.
Asean
benefits most by being neutral, taking advantage of big power rivalry to
improve Asean’s bargaining power and interests. Asean would be doomed if it
takes side in the big power conflict. Asean’s recent position, to throw itself
into the American camp against China could be a short sighted gambit. By going
against China and sucked into the American embrace, what would happen should
Donald Trump become the next President and closes its door to Asean in an
inward looking policy? Where or who would Asean turn to then? China would be
happy watching the fallouts without offering a helping hand.
This is the
first time that Asean is taking a non neutral position in big power rivalry
against the wisdom of its forefathers. And the champions of taking sides, to be
little Americas, are gaining grounds, unchallenged. Is Asean digging its own
grave, led by American Trojan Horses strutting around as little USAs?
Simon Tay
said these in his concluding paragraphs: ‘Asean can only remain central by
pairing its political centrality with economic dynamism and moving ahead with
integration. This is the way to better manage bumps and controversies, even
sensitive concerns such as the South China Sea, and move ahead on an agenda for
integration and reform that all – governments, businesses and ultimately Asean
citizens – may partake and benefit.’