ASEAN’s 50th anniversary
THIS year’s ASEAN summit which started yesterday is significant for several reasons. Being the chair and host of the 10-nation group provides the country an opportunity to present the country’s interests and to showcase its achievements on the summit agenda. The meet comes at a time when the country and several of the members are grappling with tremendous challenges which are seeking creative solutions and global support.
Among the several concerns is the South China Sea conflict. Fortunately, the Summit planners had prioritized the drafting of the South China Sea Code of Conduct which would seek to work for a more “people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN, peace and stability in order to counter violent extremism, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive innovation-led growth, a resilient ASEAN, and an ASEAN model of regionalism. However, this Code of Conduct will take effect after sometime and would not resolve dispute between the claimants, according to a policy expert.
At this moment, it seems like the ASEAN statements on the South China Sea appear to be out of reality, according to former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. These refer to “suggestions by some experts to ramp up their defense transfers and invest in select military platforms as a matter of necessity.” Del Rosario deplored the militarization of the South China waters” and the “capitulation, for us, smaller states to give in and to lose our sovereign equality.” “China must pursue its aims within the framework of international law” if it wishes to gain respect from its neighbors,” he added.
The dispute over Sandy Cay which started last August had resulted in China telling the Philippines to halt the building of nipa huts within the area as it violated an earlier pact on moratorium on new construction in the area. The shelters were being built for fishermen on the sandbar near Pag-asa Island. President Duterte subsequently ordered the pull-out of the structures. But the President also noted that he planned to raise the issue of conflicting claims in the South China Sea at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam, where he would ask China its real intentions. He would also raise before Chinese President Xi Jin Ping the question of free navigation by Southeast East Asian countries in the South China Sea.
An example of a good alliance is the security arrangement among the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, according to maritime expert Jay Batongbakal.
And speaking of “building an alliance culture,” local CEOs who are planning to expand their business ventures – manufacturers of consumer goods Universal Robina Corp., San Miguel Corp., Unilab Pharmaceuticals, Liwayway Marketing, and food retailers like Jollibee Foods Corp., as well as Manila Water and Metro Pacific – are exploring regional opportunities. The growing trend is towards collaboration and the environment in the ASEAN region has been found quite favorable.
While we note these positive developments, there is still much work to done in reducing or eliminating some of the threats to productivity. The findings in the 2017 survey on “ease in doing business” which showed our having dropped by 14 points - from 99 in 2016 to 113 this year is one such example. The recent survey showed that we now rank 113th out of 190 economies in the global market, 16th among 25 in East Asia, and 7th among the ASEAN countries. Economies were evaluated among 10 indicators – starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency. Despite internal reforms, our small and medium-sized industries are still facing regulatory challenges. But despite these trends, strong business confidence still exists.
The theme, “partnering for change, engaging the world,” implies that we must continue to dialogue and forge alliances in various ventures.
The Summit welcomes UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and leaders of the 10 member countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste, and the Philippines – and the partner countries – Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, Russia, India, the United States, and the European Union. During the year, some 300 meetings – ministerial and technical working group and several other side meetings – were held.