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Indo-Pacific region cannot rely on major powers to safeguard its interests, says Turnbull

SINGAPORE – The Indo-Pacific should not count on major powers to protect its interests, said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, adding that countries in the region must take it upon themselves to tackle uncertainties and challenges.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaking at Shangiri-La Dialogue 2017 on June 2, 2017. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaking at Shangiri-La Dialogue 2017 on June 2, 2017. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

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SINGAPORE – The Indo-Pacific should not count on major powers to protect its interests, said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, adding that countries in the region must take it upon themselves to tackle uncertainties and challenges.

Delivering the keynote address at the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday (June 2) evening, the Australian leader listed several pressing challenges for the region, including intensified regional flashpoints and digital technology disruptions.

“We cannot rely on great powers to safeguard our interests. We have to take responsibility for our own security and prosperity,” he said.

“We have to recognise that we are stronger when we share the burden of collective leadership with trusted partners and friends.”

He said “gathering clouds of uncertainty” in the region is a signal for all parties to play a more active role in protecting their own future, adding that the Indo-Pacific is “well-placed economically, strategically and culturally to shape and drive the global response”.

Countries in the region are facing a range of uncertainties, including disputes in the South China Sea, tensions in the Korean Peninsula as well as signs that America may step back from its role in maintaining peace and stability.

Mr Turnbull's comments come on the back of similar sentiments in recent days by other world leaders. The most notable were remarks by German chancellor Angela Merkel, who openly questioned the United States’ reliability as a partner, citing various policy differences with the White House.

In a speech during which he paid tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership, Mr Turnbull noted that Mr Lee understood early on that strategic regional stability would not happen by itself.

He recounted a speech by Mr Lee in 1966, during which the latter spoke about the strategic environment and cited the old Chinese saying: Big fish eat small fish and small fish eat shrimp.

Mr Lee had described how the shrimp, or Singapore, would survive in troubled regional waters. The small shrimp, according to Mr Lee, could make itself unpalatable to the larger fish by being self-reliant and strong. And it could make friends with other larger fish, strong alliances, and collective security.

“He (Mr Lee) recognised then, as his son and successsor the Prime Minister (Lee Hsien Loong) does today, that we all have a vested interest in each other’s security,” said Mr Turnbull.

“That it’s peace and stability that will form the essential foundation for the remarkable progresses in prosperity and freedom in our region above all.”

Mr Turnbull is on his first official visit to the Republic. Earlier in the day, he called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam and met PM Lee for the 2nd Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Summit.

During his keynote address to an audience which includes PM Lee, his wife Madam Ho Ching and regional defence chiefs, Mr Turnbull said it was important to preserve the rules based structure in the region that has enabled all parties to prosper.

“This means cooperation, not unilateral actions to seize or create territories, or militarise disputed areas,” he said, referring to China’s massive reclamation and constructions works in the disputed South China Sea. Last year, Beijing rejected a ruling by The Hague rejecting its expansive claims in the area.

Elaborating, Mr Turnbull said that the rule of law is about “working within the rules and sometimes accepting lasting compromises”. 

“This is what the rule of law is about and this is why it works,” he added.

He noted that China’s growing power continues to be a topic of intense debate and it is “natural that Beijing will seek strategic influence to match its economic weight”.

“We want to see China fulfill the leadership role it desires in a way which strengthens the regional order," he added.

“A coercive China will see its neighbours resenting its demands as they seek autonomy and strategic space, and look to counterweight Beijing by bolstering alliances and partnerships between themselves and especially with the United States.”

He also urged Beijing to play a bigger role in managing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Turning to the US’ role in the region, the Australian premier noted concerns about Washington’s possible withdrawal from global leadership after it exited the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and the Paris climate agreement.

“While these decisions are disappointing, we should take care not to rush to interpret an intent to engage on different terms as one not to engage at all,” said Mr Turnbull.

He noted that Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex TiIlerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis have all visited Asia early during the Donald Trump administration. In fact, Mr Trump has said he would attend the East Asia Summit in the Philippines later this year, Mr Turnbull noted.

“I am confident that this administration and those that follow it will, and for the same reasons, recognise as its predecessors have, that the United States’ own interests in the Indo-Pacific, demand more US engagement, not less.”

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