'Asia still needs US leadership'

THE United States remains an indispensable player in shaping the global order even with the rise of Asia, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.

While Asia and in particular China and India will increasingly have a big say in global affairs, the region still needs strong US leadership, he said in a keynote speech at the opening of a regional security forum.

"America's role is especially crucial in engaging a rising Asia and integrating it into a global system," he told the Asia Security Summit.

"In this global endeavour, America's leadership continues to be indispensable. Dynamic and vibrant as it is, Asia will continue to depend critically on its links with the US and other developed countries."

Lee urged the US to remain committed to Asia and to continue to engage in constructive relations with China.

"The mood in developed countries is defensive, partly because the emergence of Asia is shifting the balance of power," said Lee.

"It is in the vital interest of the developed world to accommodate a rising Asia and to engage the region constructively."

AFP