Events
U.S. Singapore Relations 2004
America’s Role in Asia 2004: Report Launch in Singapore
Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires Judith Fergin
December 6, 2004
Ambassador Koh, Mr. Cossa, Mr. Brandon, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
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First, I would like to thank the Institute of Policy Studies for hosting this event and the Asia Foundation for providing the reason we have gathered here today.
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Second, I would like to thank the Foundation for providing an independent perspective that reminds us why we should care about the relationships between Asia and the United States.
We here in Asia know for a fact that there is a lot going on here and that what is happening is important. At last week's U.S.-ASEAN Business Council Leadership dinner, the Senior Minister put the view from here succinctly: the rise of Asia is the most strategic development of this century.
In the United States, there is a general appreciation for Asia's dynamism, but there is less understanding of the American role than there should be. This Asia Foundation series focuses all our attention wonderfully on this question. Equally important, by providing the U.S. and Asian views, it focuses our attention on the relationships from both sides of the equation. By giving us both perspectives on the relationships, the volumes have made it easier for us to distinguish where our interests and agendas overlap and where we have work to do.
Asia: The Region of Opportunity
Our speakers this morning have highlighted that Asia is the region of opportunity of our times. And it's the region of opportunity across the board -- economic, political, social, technological, whatever sphere you might name.
Asia is enjoying growing prosperity and moving toward greater economic openness, lower trade barriers, and regional cooperation and integration. It is finding markets, investment capital, and ideas all over the world.
Country after country has held peaceful elections. Voters went to the polls this year in countries with a combined population of about two billion people – including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, India, Japan, and Australia.
Asia is largely stable, at peace, and focused on continued growth and development. There is, however, potential for major conflict in the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan Strait, and in Kashmir. The situation in areas such as Aceh and southern Thailand is cause for serious concern. Asia has experienced terrorist tragedies, including the Bali, Marriott, and Australian Embassy bombings. But governments have also foiled many more such attacks -- including here in Singapore -- and there are also growing commitments among governments to collaborate to defeat terror as well as transnational crime.
The United States Has a Role
The study made it clear not only that the United States has a role to play in Asia, but also that Asians hope we will play it vigorously. I was struck by the number of times the word "should" appeared in the volume by the Asian experts. Sometimes, the authors meant that the United States "should" do something else or something more -- but almost always they meant that the United States should be actively involved in the region's affairs. They welcome U.S. involvement when it supports the positive trends that have already emerged or adds extra leverage to prevent hostilities from erupting.
Such support for good relations helps the United States remain strongly committed to the continuing success of Asia and determined to expend the energy and resources necessary to move forward on our shared interests.
The United States is actively engaged in every major potential hot spot or issue of concern in the region.
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In North Korea, we champion the six-party talks that hold the greatest hope of achieving a peaceful outcome.
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In cross-Strait relations, we remain committed to upholding our commitments to the one-China policy and have urged both China and Taiwan to exercise restraint.
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We continue to strengthen our collective ability to counter terrorism by building partnerships throughout the Asian region.
Some observers think U.S. foreign policy has focused too much on fighting terror and transnational crime, but the facts don't bear them out.
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The United States is the region's number one trading partner – we are the largest or second-largest partner for every major economy in Asia, and five of America’s top ten trading partners are here.
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While our trade with China is booming, it may surprise you to know that the U.S. exports twice as much to ASEAN as it does to China, even though ASEAN has just half China’s population. U.S. imports from China have been growing rapidly, but are not even double U.S. imports from ASEAN.
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The United States is also a leading foreign direct investor. By the end of 2003, American companies had put over $56 billion into China and Hong Kong and over $87 billion into the five biggest ASEAN economies.
U.S.-Asia Relations are a Success Story
My third observation from today's discussion is that we must measure success in new ways. Shifting patterns of cooperation between the Asian region, individual countries, and the United States are not a sign of failure, but of success.
Our five traditional allies – Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Australia and Thailand – are our strategic partners in this time of changes. Each of the alliances is adjusting to 21st century realities, and we are finding different and effective ways of cooperating. We are finding new ways to create mutual benefits. While the WTO Doha Round continues, we have moved with those who lead global trade policy -- Singapore and Australia -- to conclude gold-standard free trade agreements that lock in prosperity.
China's economic rise is often seen as posing a challenge to the United States, yet Secretary Powell described U.S.-China relations last month as the best in over thirty years and – perhaps even more important – he described them as two mature nations dealing with each other in a mature fashion. Likewise with India, where the growth of competitive industries has not meant the death of Hollywood and Silicon Valley, but the rise of expertise that is being linked to ours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, America's engagement with Asia has a bright future.
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Asia is the region of opportunity. Compared to the gloomy days after the Asian financial crisis and despite our shared security concerns, the feeling of hope and forward momentum is remarkable.
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The United States remains a welcome partner with a role that Asian governments and people value. Authors stressed the importance to Asia of U.S. involvement in maintaining peace and of U.S. open markets.
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Asia and the United States have charted a successful course together. "America's Role in Asia 2004" never said, "do less." It urged the United States to be more involved, for all of us to do more together to achieve the goals we share. It is safe to say that the United States will take the Asia Foundation's advice.
Thank you.