ASEAN-China Summit

1. No effort or expense was spared to make the Commemoration Summit of 15 years of ASEAN-China relations a successful ceremonial event. As one diplomat put it, China wanted it picture perfect. And it was. Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Province, was ablaze with flowers. The gala performance in the evening was stunning. An ASEAN minister remarked that all the ballerinas were equally beautiful and even had the same tone of skin. Premier Wen Jiabao was impressive. At the end of every intervention by ASEAN leaders, he would give a short summary of a few sentences which would always capture the main points.

2. China has been methodical and comprehensive in its efforts to establish close strategic links with the countries of Southeast Asia. A few years ago, Premier Zhu Rongji told ASEAN Leaders that China wanted ASEAN to be a long-term friend and strategic partner without seeking for itself an exclusive position in Southeast Asia. Initially suspicious, ASEAN countries are now responding in a positive way. There is no doubt now that China's economic growth would benefit all of us. There is however concern that China may leave us behind if we don't move forward in a more determined way. China's peaceful re-emergence is therefore also a challenge to Southeast Asia. The question is whether we can summon enough political will to integrate ASEAN, combine our strengths and carve out a place in the sun for ourselves. When ASEAN Leaders meet in Cebu at the end of the year to decide on our collective future, the Nanning Summit will provide an important backdrop.

George Yeo