Asean has to get used to new internal dynamics as each member – to a different degree – feels the influence of burgeoning regional powers, especially China and India, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

But this must not lead to a divided Asean, he said yesterday.

“We must accept the reality of these tidal pulls, without allowing them to lead to fault lines forming within the Asean group,” he said.

New powers, especially China and India, are growing in strength and influence, creating new opportunities, he noted. At the same time, “countries have to take into account the policies and interests of new powers, while maintaining their traditional political and economic ties”.

… Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies asked how Asean can maintain its unity as various members desire to advance their relations with a growing China.

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