KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the persisting tensions between the United States and China, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on Asean member states to step up cooperation with each of the global superpowers.
Southeast Asian countries stand to gain more by doing this, he said in his keynote address at the First Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting, held virtually, today.
“These are the world’s biggest economies, and also the most developed and sophisticated in the digital era.
“There may be differences and tensions across the Pacific between the US and China, but we are happy to work with them all.
“While we hope that they can cooperate better together, we should also cooperate more with each of them.”
The relationship between the world’s two biggest economies has soured in the last decade, with both now embroiled in a trade war that has seen tit-for-tat tariffs and other barriers put in place.
While the US yesterday saw Joe Biden being sworn in as president, many of his predecessor Donald Trump’s policies concerning China are expected to remain.
Muhyiddin said through the Asean Plus Three platform with China, Japan and South Korea, Southeast Asian nations can promote digital engagement and encourage information and communications technology from its three partners.
“The best digital advances now in northeast Asia can be writ large for the larger East Asia.”
He added that by working with key Asean dialogue partners in North America, including the US, global digital best practices can be expanded in the Asean region.
“We should leverage these facets of Asean to provide the best possible opportunities to our people, in particular, our future and younger generations.” – The Vibes, January 21, 2021
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