Patrick Tan 
- ASEAN countries and China need to get along and become richer together
- ESM Goh Chok Tong talks about how to strengthen the friendship between countries
- Digital economy is one way to upgrade our cooperation
Join us for some kopi talk about ASEAN-China cooperation, growth opportunities, and how to maintain a chill vibe in the region.
Did you hear about ESM Goh Chok Tong’s speech at the Understanding China-Greater Bay Area Dialogue on 19 April or not?
He talks about how ASEAN and China can work together and win-win!
ASEAN-China Cooperation: Friendship Level Up!
ESM Goh shares how Singapore and China got many projects together, like Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-City, and Chongqing Connectivity Initiative.
All these projects help both sides grow and show that our friendship is power.
Opportunities for ASEAN: Win-Win for All
ASEAN got so many people, a big market, and a lot of growth potential.
We and China can do business together, and everybody will be happy.
ESM Goh says got the potential to deepen our ties, like upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
Challenges: Must Avert Drama
But we got some challenges also.
Like the tension between US and China can affect the whole region.
ESM Goh says we must uphold the rules-based international order and focus on constructive coupling, not destructive decoupling.
Play a positive-sum game, bro!
Actionable and Practical Takeaways
- Support upgrading the ACFTA so that both sides can benefit more
- Work together in the digital economy, like e-commerce and cross-border trade
- Don’t just think about your own country; we must cooperate for the greater good
So, ESM Goh Chok Tong says we must work together then can have peace and prosperity in Asia.
His quote, “We should encourage all parties, including the US and EU, to deepen ties with Asia,” is a good reminder for everyone.
We must be open and inclusive and ensure everyone has a stake in our region’s success.
Do you think ASEAN and China level up their cooperation game?
