The World Economic Forum on East Asia opened in Singapore on
Sunday, with participation of about 300 business and political
leaders from 26 countries to discuss East Asia's agenda under the
theme "The Leadership Imperative for an Asian Century."
Speaking at the opening session, President of the Philippines,
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, said the real issue facing the Asian
countries is the rapid economic rise of the region at a time when
the global order has undergone enormous swings. "One swing was
caused by the rise of China and India to add to the power of Japan
in the region," she said, adding that another was the global war on
terrorism which has influenced America's role in the world and in
Asia.
Noting that the United States is the major political and
military player which has been preoccupied in the Middle East, in
Iraq, and other crisis areas, Arroyo said, "this has left the
perception of a leadership deficit in Asia."
Arroyo said China and Japan have stepped up their game, not ably
in coming together to facilitate peace on the Korean Peninsula.
However, she said, the real issue is how the region will handle the
next 20 or 40 years.
Arroyo also said that as China and India become true political
and economic giants, their leadership obligations to their
neighbors also increase, separating from their obligations to their
own citizens.
Turning to The Philippines' role in the region, Arroyo said the
Philippines is currently Chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast
Asian Nations). "During our Summit in January, ASEAN exercised
leadership in integration by taking several important steps to
create a regional community by 2015," he added.
"The most notable was the declaration on the ASEAN Charter. At a
time of uncertainty in the world, we are proud that ASEAN took a
bold step forward and not a timid step back," she said.
"The theme of our Summit was 'One Caring and Sharing Community'.
We want to advance the sense of community and our shared interests.
We want to look after each other in terms of social justice,
economic development and common security," Arroyo said.
"I am bullish on Asia, what we have accomplished and what we
will achieve in the next 20 years. Our time has come. Asia will be
up to the task of leading our people and our region into a more
dominant role in world economic and political affairs," the
Philippine president said.
During the two-day forum, the participants will discuss the
region's industry, political and economic agendas.
The industry agenda will focus on the next generation of East
Asian global champions and the impact of cross-border
investments.
The economic agenda will consider the durability of East Asian
economies to contend with risks such as rising energy prices,
pandemics and terrorism, as well as plans for financial and
monetary integration.
On the occasion of ASEAN's 40th anniversary, the political
agenda will center on the design of its evolving regional
architecture and its relationship with important strategic
partners.
(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2007)
