ASEAN Summit to focus on connecting ASEAN, China, India: Singapore FM

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is looking at enhancing connectivity amongst its member countries, as well as with China and India by road and rail, Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said on Tuesday.

Yeo said that this is one key issue to be discussed at the upcoming ASEAN leaders summit, and the leaders at the meeting will propose to form a group to study the idea in detail, according to local TV broadcaster Channel NewsAsia,

"We have, on the one side, China; on the other side, India, two very big countries with developed or developing infrastructure and we are in between. If we, in our own integration, make sure our links connect to theirs, not only will ASEAN be linked to China and India, we will link China and India together." Yeo was quoted as saying in the report.

He said that the road and rail links will benefit more mainland ASEAN, but the sea connectivity will benefit maritime ASEAN.

"So depending on the country we are talking about, some may benefit more than others, but that is alright. We are looking at the whole of ASEAN as one integrated space now, and if there is growth for ASEAN as a whole, it is bound to create direct and indirect benefits for individual member countries." Yeo added.

The 15th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings will be held in Hua Hin, Thailand later this week.

Source: Xinhua