Cayetano highlights increasing stature of Asia in world affairs
Published Apr 10, 2018 02:15 pm
By Roy Mabasa
Asia's time to be recognized by the whole world as the regional driver for global growth has come.
Foreign affairs secretary, Alan Peter Cayetano
(Amr Alfiky/Reuters / Manila Bulletin)alan Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano pointed out that because of a number of things including the success of many countries in the region, such as the Philippines, "the growth, the leadership, but also because of technology like social media, Asians suddenly have a voice not only in the West but now the whole world looks at the potential of Asia, the opportunities of Asia." "No country in the world can ignore Asia, the markets of Asia and the people of Asia," said Secretary Cayetano who is currently in China to accompany President Rodrigo Duterte to the Boao Forum. The foreign affairs chief further stressed that the exciting things is the success ASEAN had in the last 50 years "despite many opportunities to be at war or at least to be in a Cold War against each other," apparently referring to the potential conflicts that may arise from the heated South China Sea territorial disputes between several ASEAN member states and China. "What excites me is that there are regional rivalries going on, yet everyone is finding a way to cooperate," he said. " What excites me is that countries and leaders, maybe President Xi Jinping, maybe President Duterte and other participants at this Forum, are all thinking not only how to benefit their people," Cayetano added. He cited as an example, the fact that he has not had a single conversation with Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi or with any other high official of China, where they did not mention how they should benefit both Chinese people and the Filipino people. A number of world leaders, including President Duterte, are currently attending the Boao Forum for Asia, a non-profit organization that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. Modeled after the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland, the Boao Forum has its fixed address in Bo'ao, Hainan province, China, although the Secretariat is based in Beijing. The forum known as the “Asian Davos" inherits its name from the town of Boao, located in China’s southern Hainan province, which has been the permanent venue for its annual conference since 2002.
Foreign affairs secretary, Alan Peter Cayetano(Amr Alfiky/Reuters / Manila Bulletin)alan Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano pointed out that because of a number of things including the success of many countries in the region, such as the Philippines, "the growth, the leadership, but also because of technology like social media, Asians suddenly have a voice not only in the West but now the whole world looks at the potential of Asia, the opportunities of Asia." "No country in the world can ignore Asia, the markets of Asia and the people of Asia," said Secretary Cayetano who is currently in China to accompany President Rodrigo Duterte to the Boao Forum. The foreign affairs chief further stressed that the exciting things is the success ASEAN had in the last 50 years "despite many opportunities to be at war or at least to be in a Cold War against each other," apparently referring to the potential conflicts that may arise from the heated South China Sea territorial disputes between several ASEAN member states and China. "What excites me is that there are regional rivalries going on, yet everyone is finding a way to cooperate," he said. " What excites me is that countries and leaders, maybe President Xi Jinping, maybe President Duterte and other participants at this Forum, are all thinking not only how to benefit their people," Cayetano added. He cited as an example, the fact that he has not had a single conversation with Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi or with any other high official of China, where they did not mention how they should benefit both Chinese people and the Filipino people. A number of world leaders, including President Duterte, are currently attending the Boao Forum for Asia, a non-profit organization that hosts high-level forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large. Modeled after the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland, the Boao Forum has its fixed address in Bo'ao, Hainan province, China, although the Secretariat is based in Beijing. The forum known as the “Asian Davos" inherits its name from the town of Boao, located in China’s southern Hainan province, which has been the permanent venue for its annual conference since 2002.