VIENTIANE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has lauded efforts by President Barack Obama to promote ties between South-east Asia and the United States, as the American leader reiterated the region’s importance to the US’ foreign policy pivot to Asia during his final summit with regional leaders.

Speaking at the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean)-US Summit in Vientiane on Thursday (Sept 8), Mr Lee thanked Mr Obama for his consistent support and personal attention shown to Asean.  

“The Asean-US relationship has expanded significantly over the last eight years,” he said, adding that Asean and the US elevated the dialogue relationship to a Strategic Partnership last year and both sides are cooperating in various fields, ranging from youth and women empowerment to science and technology.

“Under your leadership, the US has been a valued partner of Asean and I look forward to us strengthening our partnership,” Mr Lee added.

Mr Obama has visited South-east Asia almost every year since 2009, when he announced a US foreign policy rebalance to Asia. Under his leadership, the US has acceded to Asean’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and joined the Asean-led East Asia Summit, the premier regional forum for strategic dialogue.

Asean-US relations hit a high point in February when Mr Obama hosted leaders of the 10-nation grouping in a Special Summit at the historic Sunnylands estate in California. But there are doubts whether the next American President will remain committed to engaging Asean.

Mr Lee has worked closely with Mr Obama on several regional issues, including the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact covering around 40 per cent of global economic output. Last month, Mr Lee made an official visit to Washington, during which he was hosted to a state dinner by the American leader.

“I hope that the US will remain as committed to Asean as it has been under your leadership, under your successors, whether it is (a) him or her,” Mr Lee said, referring to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic Party rival Hillary Clinton, who are contesting the elections in November.  

Mr Obama, who is making his final visit to Asia as his term draws to a close, said America will remain engaged to the region. “Asean is key to the US rebalance to Asia, and, more importantly, it’s key to a peaceful and prosperous future for the world,” he said at Thursday’s summit.

“We have forged a strategic partnership. The US is committed to building on this solid foundation,” he added, noting how both sides has laid out a “common vision for an open, dynamic, economically competitive Asia Pacific that respects human rights and upholds a rule-based order”.  

Looking ahead, Mr Lee said Asean and the US can further strengthen cooperation in economic integration and in tackling transboundary challenges such as climate change.  He said that the US’ presence in the Asia Pacific is welcomed, adding that it has been “benign and positive and a plus for all”, as he encouraged Washington to sustain its engagement in the region.

“You have spread prosperity through trade and investments and maintained security and stability,” he said. “It has helped to build a regional order where all countries big and small, can play by the same rules, compete and resolve their disputes peacefully, including in the South China Sea.”