to the strategic forces that pull us in different directions. This is the hard reality of cooperation in a region exposed to multiple external influences. Despite its limitations， ASEAN has contributed much to the well－being of its members and the security of the region， and ASEAN’s partners recognise the value of ASEAN Centrality.
Amid the geopolitical shifts， new concepts and platforms for regional cooperation have emerged， notably China’s Belt and Road Initiative （BRI）. Singapore supports the BRI. We see it as a constructive mechanism for
China to be positively engaged with the region and beyond. That is why we are active participants. For example， we work with the World Bank to promote financial and infrastructure connectivity， and we provide supporting professional and legal services to BRI countries. We are also partnering China to develop the New International Land－Sea Trade Corridor， which connects Western China to Southeast Asia under the China－Singapore （Chongqing） Connectivity Initiative （CCI－ILSTC）.
Of course the substance of the BRI， and the way in which the BRI is implemented， are important. The specific projects must be economically sound and commercially viable， and must bring long term benefits to its partners. This has not always been the case； some BRI projects have run into significant problems. Overall， the BRI must be open and inclusive， and must not turn the region into a closed bloc centred on a single major economy. As Asian countries deepen their links with China， they also need to grow their
ties with the US， Europe， Japan and others. In other words， the BRI should help China to integrate with the world. The end result should be to strengthen globalisation， and not to divide the world into rival spheres of influence.
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