By Xinhua writers Wang Lili, Li Xiaoyu
SINGAPORE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings ended here Saturday, reaffirming the bloc's cooperation and common vision while emphasizing building a "resilient and innovative ASEAN."
This is the first summit hosted by this year's ASEAN chair Singapore, during which the ASEAN Leaders' Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN was adopted, a guiding framework for ASEAN in the following months of this year.
ASEAN leaders reiterated 10 key principles underscoring collective vision and commitment. The principles are related to ASEAN's unity and centrality, rules-based order, peace and security, and cooperation against terrorism and non-traditional threats.
They also cover economic integration and openness, technology, investment in youth and elderly, ASEAN identity, sustainable and inclusive development, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
The leaders also endorsed the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Cybersecurity Cooperation and the concept note on ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN).
At the summit, announcements were made on finalizing the Model ASEAN Extradition Treaty at the working level and looking forward to the negotiation on an ASEAN Extradition Treaty.
Efforts also include conducting the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus on an annual basis, enhancing regional cooperation on countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, and working toward an ASEAN Joint Statement which affirms the importance of rules-based order for cyberspace.
EMBRACING INNOVATION, FACILITATING TRADE
One of the key deliverables for the summit is to establish the ASCN, with 26 pilot cities chosen across the region, in the belief that most of ASEAN's growth will continue to be driven by urban centers.
The ASCN will be a collaborative platform for member cities to exchange best practices and urban solutions, as well as to catalyse bankable smart city projects. It conforms with ASEAN's goal to develop into a region for increasingly seamless economic activity and growing opportunities.
At one of the related meetings of the summit, Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang said e-commerce is becoming an emerging global trend and an increasingly important tool for small and medium-sized enterprises to plug into global supply chains.
It is estimated that the ASEAN digital economy might generate 200 billion U.S. dollars by 2025, with e-commerce accounting for 88 billion dollars.
Koh Chin Yee, CEO for Longus Research Institute of Singapore, told Xinhua that e-commerce was the most possible area for ASEAN member states to get early achievements.
Southeast Asia experienced the fastest Internet user increase across the globe, with a possible netizen population of 480 million by 2020, according to the CEO.
ASEAN's efforts in trade facilitation have borne fruits, one of which is the ASEAN Single Window, an online platform to expedite customs clearance via the electronic exchange of information across borders.
The platform was now operational among five ASEAN member states at present, and the others were urged an early joining in the project which was commenced at the start of this year.
The leaders also agreed to work towards an early conclusion this year of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement (FTA) scheme of the 10 ASEAN member states and its FTA partners, namely China, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
ENHANCING COMMUNITY-BUILDING EFFORTS
Despite the economic, cultural and religious diversities among the ASEAN member countries, they are making great efforts in community building.
In this regard, announcements were made at the summit to renew the Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund to build a young-leader network and bring forth an e-sports tournament, as well as to establish the ASEAN Law Academy training program for ASEAN legal education and integration.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Summit working dinner on Friday evening that ASEAN would pursue the initiatives under its three pillars and make progress towards the goal of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community."
The three pillars refer to ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The 32nd ASEAN Summit and related meetings were held from April 25 to 28.
