Nov 4, 2022
ASEAN is at 55 this year. A few days before its 40th and 41st Summit on Nov 8 to 13,
Prof. Dr. Tang Zhimin, Director of CASPIM, listed what to be expected from this high
profile gathering in an interview with China Daily.
ASEAN has a vision to build a “politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially
responsible and rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered” community. The key things
to watch in the summit are: in retrospect how ASEAN progressed according to its vision in
the past year, and in prospect what will be the next steps.
More specifically, there should be statements and declarations about: First, new rules and
norms on strengthening the ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Unity to push back great-power
confrontation; Second, achievement of the ASEAN COMMUNITY VISION 2025 and new
development of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision. Third, trade architecture
comparable with RCEP and the emerging supply chains in the Indo-Pacific. Fourth, concerted
macro economic policies such as fiscal resource mobilization and dealing with external
financial shocks; Fifth, measures to deal with pressing issues such as energy supply, food security, and digital economy.
With geopolitical tension further escalating before the summit, ASEAN must endeavor to
remain an attractive and dynamic hub for trade and investment. It may promote economic
recovery and cooperation with its partners especially China in areas of a) enhancing both
physical and digital connectivity; b) strengthening the capacity of MSMEs; c) promoting the
entrepreneurship and d) narrowing the development gaps. According to a recent report by
ADB, five key sectors to watch include tourism, agro-processing, garments, electronics and
digital trade.