Opening remarks by Asean-ISIS Network Chair Assoc Prof Dr Hoang Anh Tuan

It includes the identification of the opportunities and challenges brought about by the China’s Dual-Circulation Strategy in the context of the increasingly competitive regional environment. [...] In the upcoming sessions, we will be discussing the current issues that are changing and challenging our region, including the EU’s engagement in the Indo- Pacific, the prospect of nuclear rearmament in the region, and addressing the thematic issues of emerging and revised multilateral and minilateral mechanisms and its impact on regional stability and security. [...] The question of how to enhance the cooperation and engage more openly and effectively with the emerging mechanisms and recalibrate its trategic responses in the face of the new and competing multi- and mini-lateral mechanisms such as the Quad, the Aukus and a revised BRI will be also very important for our region today. [...] Distinguished Guests, Colleagues and Friends, Given the high relevancy of these topics, please allow me, once again, to underline the importance of all participants to proactively engage in in-depth deliberations 2 and discussions in the Roundtable, especially on the crucial aspects related to the relationship between Asia-Pacific countries. [...] I sincerely hope that today and the next couple of days inspires ideas and discussions around the ways that we can sustain cooperation amid competition to recover from the pandemic and develop in the context of major powers rivalry.