PM Wong points to ASEAN–China cooperation as global norms weaken

More flexible cooperation is key as broad multilateral agreements grow harder to reach.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted the potential for deeper cooperation between ASEAN and China to support regional growth, amidst rising global fragmentation and weakening international norms.

The upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement will strengthen economic links, Wong said in his speech at the Bo’ao Forum for Asia Annual Conference on 26 March.

He also highlighted opportunities to collaborate on shared challenges, including leveraging China’s strength in renewable energy to support the region’s energy transition, such as through the ASEAN Power Grid.

“Singapore also believes that China can play an even bigger role in supporting regional prosperity and stability,” Wong said.

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, with its greater emphasis on domestic consumption, will create new opportunities for the region, he added.

Singapore will also continue to engage regional partners to support growth, working closely with countries such as Japan, Korea and India.

Wong cautioned that the broader global environment is becoming more unstable due to rising rivalry and ‘zero-sum thinking’. “The foundations that have sustained decades of global stability are under severe strain.”

To adapt, he said new, more flexible forms of cooperation are needed, as broad multilateral agreements become harder to achieve.

“We cannot afford to wait for every country to move together – at the same time and at the same speed,” Wong added.