• 
• 

It took the kind of humility expressed by US President Barack Obama to win the hearts and minds of Asian countries. His speech on Asia in Tokyo last week was well-written and gave due emphasis to issues of mutual concern in Asia without upsetting the overall scheme of things.

   Sooner or later, time will tell if he is weak or complacent about the issues related to human rights and democratic values. For the time being, there is no barrier, imagined or real, that would prevent the US from moving closer and becoming fully engaged with Asia, especially key players such as China, Japan, Korea and Asean.

Indeed, the Obama presidency comes at a time when there is great transformation within East Asia as a whole and within individual countries.

For instance, both China and Japan have come together like never before. Their leaders came to the sensible understanding a few years back that continued bickering would rob them of a peaceful and prosperous future. Regionwide cooperation would also go nowhere. Instead of driving wedges between the two Asian powers, the US has now placed itself as a go-between to ensure that Sino-Japanese cooperation will continue and last well into the future.

A few years back, nobody would have believed the US would be welcome with such warmth. The Obama administration should be credited for using a softer and non-threatening approach in the region. His speech referring to China was a case in point. Constructive US comments on China's expansive role and its peaceful rise will indeed increase pressure on Beijing's international behaviour. From now on, China has to prove to the international community that a better relationship with the US means the world can be safer and more peaceful. Both countries should also be more cooperative.

Japan's stable relations with China form the main pillar for future cooperation in East Asia. Only through their working together, can other regional activities move on unhindered. Movements towards a broader free trade area and a new regional architecture have been possible because of the swift improvement of their relationship in past years.

Obama's trip to Singapore and meeting with all 10 Asean leaders was historic and the outcome of their first meeting should be nurtured. It was good that both sides agreed to meet again next year. Obama has lent a personal touch by inviting all Asean leaders to the US next year. The joint statement released after their successful meeting promises busy years, if not in the coming decade, ahead for both partners.

The Burmese crisis used to be the main obstacle in Asean-US relations, but now it seems it could consolidate their friendship. The US has urged Asean to do more about Burma by pressuring the junta to begin a national reconciliation dialogue ahead of next year's election. Obama has generated much goodwill and expectation in Asia. From now on, Washington has to materialise all it has promised both verbally and in writing. Otherwise, it would be a great opportunity lost. Like many good opportunities in life, once lost, it would be difficult to make it happen again.