The Pacific Corridor
Issue 1
Editor’s Note
by Nabil Haskanbancha, in Bangkok
Our third Frontier Brief edition turns to the evolving nexus of politics, security and digital transformation in ASEAN countries along the Pacific Corridor: Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. Our local correspondents shed light on some of the most significant themes and agenda referenced during the 46th ASEAN Summit. Digital connectivity stands out prominently in Vietnam’s transformation summit, highlighting the region’s collective vision of fostering an innovation-driven and inclusive economy. Emerging creative platforms for Singaporean politicians to engage the public reflect the importance of pluralism and good governance. Last but not least, tensions in the South China Sea represent another test for regional unity, prompting countries like the Philippines to call for concrete steps toward peaceful resolution mechanisms.
The Philippines 🇵🇭
The Importance of a Legally Binding Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea: Linking ASEAN’s Economic Ambition to Regional Security
by Arianne De Guzman, in Bulacan
Economic stability has always been intertwined with regional and political dynamics. With this notion, ASEAN has been committed to increase its degree of integration into the global economy and further synergies between economic ambitions with regional security interests. However, weak institutional capacity and long-standing conflicts debilitate economic governance. With the recent 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the region unveiled its ambition to become the fourth-largest economy by 2045. Despite this collective vision, ASEAN member states faced several critical issues, particularly the diverging outlook on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
In the 1940s, the Philippines began experiencing China’s assertive nature in the West Philippine Sea. Yet until now, the issue is treated solely as a diplomatic issue rather than as a regional security and law enforcement concern. Central to these challenges is the Code of Conduct, proposed over a decade ago, which aims to establish guidelines to manage and regulate maritime conduct. Despite consultations between ASEAN and China in the early 2000s, only a non-binding document without a dispute resolution mechanism was signed, which means that resolving disputes is purely voluntary. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. then took the opportunity to propose the adoption of a legally-binding code of conduct (COC) to ease geopolitical tensions in the disputed water.
The West Philippine Sea: Between Economic Stability and Regional Security
The West Philippine Sea (WPS) discourse manifests in the nexus between regional security and economic stability serving as an economic resource that sustains livelihoods, ecosystem productivity , and energy supply. Territorial disputes, notably China’s expansion claims on the nine-dash line and the overlapping claims of ASEAN member states, have caused aggressive activities in the WPS. These increased tensions impact regional economic dynamics, potentially introducing a risk premium that deters foreign direct investments (FDI) and delays infrastructure development. A legally-binding COC is necessary to prevent such disputes, simultaneously protecting investor confidence, supply chains and global trade agreements.
The Role of a Legally Binding COC in Economic Integration
ASEAN’s consensus-based model remains underutilized due to diverging views. Several member states are reluctant to adopt the aforementioned COC because of its impact on their economic claims in the region and their relationship with China. Without common ground, efforts to secure COC will remain elusive, leaving the region more susceptible to conflicts. Meanwhile, China has exercised caution in signing the COC as it would contradict their expansive “nine-dash” claim, which is not recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and also rejected by an international tribunal ruling in 2016.
A legally-binding COC is not merely a diplomatic necessity–it is imperative for resolving geopolitical tensions that disrupt the free flow of trade, deter investments, and undermine economic stability. The adoption of this rules-based approach can demonstrate ASEAN’s capacity to achieve its economic ambitions by creating a secure and regulated environment that is conducive to economic prosperity.
Arianne has worked in legal research at the Philippines Department of Justice and in policy research at De La Salle University’s Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, supporting projects on systemic reform. She holds a degree in Political Science from Colegio de San Juan de Letran and is pursuing a master’s in Sociology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is also involved in youth development and grassroots advocacy through the Rotaract Club of Santa Maria.
Singapore 🇸🇬
Beginning with Hope: Journeying with Transparency & Plurality
by Nurul Aini, in Singapore
Singapore is no stranger to dialogue sessions, whether open or behind closed doors. Local politicians are active on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and Singaporeans have avenues to voice their concerns through weekly Meet-the-People sessions in different constituencies. At the communal level, although there may be dissatisfaction with the outcomes of these engagements, it can still be argued that most people are consulted and engaged, especially when issues of need fulfilment are concerned. In line with ASEAN values, the Singapore government’s approach remains people-centred through comprehensive and robust engagement with both the public as well as opposition parties.
In a report by The Straits Times in March 2025, PM Lawrence Wong calls for a more participatory and open society while insisting that this will strengthen Singapore. His call for more participatory politics can be contextualised through growing youth participation in political conversations on the ground. A group worth mentioning is Gen Z, who are arguably more fond of taking up alternative opinions; their presence is so forceful that even the PM himself addressed them in an Instagram reel, debunking the myth that Gen Z are a “strawberry generation” (a derogatory term used to describe a seemingly weak and overly sensitive group of people).
As powerful as on-the-ground initiatives can be, social media has emerged as a complementary tool capable of swaying voters’ mentality and decisions. This is evident in how the incumbent party, opposition parties, and voters alike use various social media platforms to engage the masses through direct and creative means.
Among the platforms that have emerged organically as a space for political education are podcasts. According to Kenneth Paul Tan, podcasts gained traction in 2023 in Singapore, with 93% of survey respondents incorporating them into their daily routines. Podcasts remain a go-to platform as they allow for a more intimate approach where guests are (expected to be) more candid, honest and casual. The mechanisms behind this tool and user habits reinforce a perceived dialogic relationship between viewers and politicians. Meanwhile, hosts take up the role of the spokesman of the people by asking pressing questions that may have been lingering in voters’ minds. In some podcasts, candidates from opposition parties are invited, giving listeners insights into their cause. As a result, this approach humanises opposition candidates, shifting perspectives of political actors from merely reactionary critics to those with potentially concrete and reasonable plans to tackle societal, economic and political issues.
The judgment, however, remains with the listeners who, in some cases, would deliberate on the ideas in the comments section and through platforms like Reddit. Taken together, the materialisation of politics through podcasts encourages pluralism within political discussions. With continued efforts from the government, opposition, and public, combined with the internet’s ability to archive political discourse, Singapore appears poised to navigate its political landscape with greater openness and participatory engagement.
Aini is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English literature at Nanyang Technological University. She has experience working and volunteering in youth groups, contributing to the planning and management of outreach activities.
Vietnam 🇻🇳
Digital Transformation Push in Vietnam: The Vietnam-Asia DX Summit 2025 Successfully Concluded on May 28th
This summit indicates Vietnam’s increasing dedication to digital transformation in the private sector as a major economic growth driver. Yet, more than that, the summit also demonstrates a Vietnam ready to contribute to the greater economic advancement of the entire ASEAN.
by Tri Vo, in Ho Chi Minh City
The Vietnam-Asia DX Summit 2025 successfully concluded on May 28th in Hanoi, highlighting the country’s dedication to digital transformation, especially in strengthening its private sector and facilitating the global expansion of Vietnamese enterprises. Furthermore, this initiative is emblematic of a country poised to contribute to ASEAN's ambitious objectives for a thriving and interconnected digital economy in the region.
The conference highlights the Vietnamese Government’s initiatives to support digital transformation in the business sector. Indeed, recognizing the importance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the economy, the government is implementing measures such as Politburo Resolution 68-NQ/TW to assist the private sector comprehensively, with digitalizing business operations being an important component. This assistance includes free digital transformation tools such as shared accounting software and digital platforms, as well as legal advice and necessary training in management, accounting, taxation, and human resources. This policy framework is part of a long-term government initiative to increase corporate digitization. In fact, since 2021, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has led projects to raise awareness and provide training to thousands of enterprises, ensuring that digital transformation is accessible for a wide range of players.
The recent summit also puts the spotlight on how Vietnamese businesses are actively using technology to boost their international expansion by focusing on the impacts of strategic technological solutions, and "Made-in-Vietnam" innovations are enabling these companies to achieve such impressive ambitions. The development of core technologies in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, data science, the Internet of Things, 5G/6G, blockchain, and cybersecurity is being spearheaded by industry leaders like Viettel, FPT, VNPT, MISA, and One Mount. Yet, these technological advancements will not only support major firms in their external expansion but also boost local businesses' digitalization through the use of indigenous technology, creating an absolute virtuous cycle for the country as a whole.
Even more, this wholesale commitment of Vietnamese firms, as well as the government, to digital transformation is also making a substantial contribution to ASEAN's overall digital economy objectives by creating a repository of policy best practices on both the governmental and corporate levels. This will surely contribute greatly to the success of ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a strategic framework still under negotiation to align digital trade regulations and optimize the region's potential for digital economy, a sector that is expected to reach two trillion USD by 2030.
In the end, Vietnam is not only driving its economic growth by empowering its private sector and fostering technological innovation, but it is also playing an important role in building a resilient and innovative ASEAN, an organization capable of capturing the future of global growth to ensure the region's economic advancement in an age when the traditional export-led growth model is passing into obsolescence. As Vietnam continues its digital transformation, the joint efforts of the government and enterprises, as manifested at the DX Summit, will be critical in cementing its position as a global digital service hub and a key contributor to the ASEAN digital economy.
Tri has experience in management consulting and strategy, having worked with institutions such as the UNDP, The Asia Group, and ARC Group. He has provided strategic, legal, and operational insights to clients in sectors including manufacturing, energy, and technology. He holds both academic and professional experience related to Southeast and East Asia, with a focus on regional development and policy.
Editorial Deadline 03/06/2025 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
