Asian Angle | Why US-China competition will shape Asean’s vision for the next 20 years
- The Asean Community Vision 2045 must be bolder than past strategies to ensure long-term peace, stability and prosperity in the region
- Strengthening the bloc’s strategic autonomy and ability to manoeuvre skilfully between the world’s two largest powers will both be crucial
The Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045, to be implemented next year, aims to be “visionary, inspirational, robust, comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking” and “address current and future challenges” both within and beyond the region, while reflecting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ “spirit of unity in diversity and cooperation”.
As an established superpower since 1945, the US will do whatever it can to maintain its leading role in the international system and prevent other powers from challenging its supremacy. It is already revitalising alliances with like-minded countries to counter China’s rise, which it sees as a threat to the US-led liberal world order.
Meanwhile, a stronger China is no longer shy about flexing its geopolitical muscles. As its economic and military power grows, so does its confidence in becoming the next superpower. Beijing is increasingly seeking to challenge US pre-eminence through military expansion and force projection, and the promotion of its one-party, authoritarian style of government as an alternative to Western governance models.
The success of Asean’s post-2025 vision, therefore, will depend on its ability to sustain strategic autonomy and manoeuvre agilely between the US and China.