Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (6th right), Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano (6th left) and other Southeast Asian leaders and foreign ministers pose for a group photo during the closing ceremony of the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional security forum in Manila on Aug. 8, 2017. Duterte took a swipe at the Trump administration\'s retreat from a major free trade deal, joining other Asian nations at this week’s regional forum in criticizing rising protectionism.
MANILA, KOMPAS — Leaders of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are of the opinion that an openness and good cooperation among the member countries promotes economic growth in Southeast Asia.
Entering 50 years of its existence, ASEAN countries will continue to use these principles in supporting the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is expected to provide equal opportunities for all citizens while at the same time reducing the economic gap in the region.
These principles are part of the 12 points of the ASEAN Leaders Declaration at the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN in Manila, the Philippines, Tuesday. On Aug. 8, 50 years ago, ASEAN was established by five countries and now it has 10 member countries.
The Philippine government, which this year is the chair of ASEAN, held the celebration of ASEAN\'s 50th anniversary in Manila. The event, attended by foreign ministers of the member countries, featured Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as its key speaker.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the leaders of ASEAN countries are determined to further intensify efforts to realize the ideals of EEC Vision 2025 with the theme "One Vision, One Identity, One Community."
The commitment to safeguarding and promoting peace, security and stability in the region is strengthened. ASEAN is optimistic about the ability to build on these achievements and face future challenges effectively as a community.
The ASEAN leaders also ensured that the aspirations of the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, which marked the birth of ASEAN, remain alive. The declaration is inspiration for ASEAN to realize regional cooperation and encourage and maintain peace, progress and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
"We want an area that is able to grow sustainably in an inclusive nature, no one is left behind, and each has an opportunity to realize its potential," Duterte said.
At the age of 50 years, ASEAN has become one of the motors of global economic growth. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that by 2020, the economy of Southeast Asia will be the fifth largest in the world.
ASEAN\'s gross domestic product has now reached US$2.6 trillion, equivalent to the UK economy, rising sharply from $37.6 billion in the 1970s. Its population of 620 million will become an important resource due to the large number of productive workers.
ASEAN\'s economy is projected to grow about 4.9 percent next year with support from economic expansion in Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Duterte said that the openness was needed amid the growing trend of protectionism. He firmly supports the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is backed by China, rather than the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was abandoned by US President Donald Trump, even though the US was one of its initiators.
"ASEAN has a bigger position than any other country in the world in its stance to oppose protectionism and secure the rules of the game in international trade," Duterte said, stating that TPP was a dream and would never return.
Malaysia’s former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, as quoted in the Nikkei Asian Review, said that, a regional economic grouping, ASEAN was among the few multilateral cooperations that has remained relevant today. He said the idea of making ASEAN a free trade zone was still circulating in the region.
Indonesia
The Indonesian government, as stated by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, will be proactive in ASEAN. One possible effort is to push ASEAN to resolve the claim issue in the South China Sea.
"Related to the problem of the South China Sea, we should not hesitate. I do not think China will bring conflict either, because if there is conflict, China\'s trade will be affected. About 60 percent of China\'s trade goes through the South China Sea," Kalla said in Jakarta.
According to Kalla, the spirit that exists in ASEAN, such as coming to a consensus in the decision-making process or in a joint declaration, is not a problem. Indonesia needs to work hard to unite ASEAN countries that have different interests.
Separately, Tourism Minister AriefYahya said that ASEAN had the potential to become a major tourist region in the world. Together with trade and investment, the tourism sector is one of main drivers of economic growth in the region. In order to establish itself as a tourist region, products in ASEAN must have the same standards so that they can grow sustainably.
