Myanmar's Hosting of 2013 Southeast Asian Games

Mr Nicholas Fang asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what has Myanmar's hosting of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games shown about the country's ability to be an active and contributing member of ASEAN.

Mdm Speaker, Myanmar successfully hosted the 27th Southeast Asian Games in December 2013, earning international accolades for its elaborate planning, organisation and warm hospitality extended to all participating countries and the foreign media.

The 27th SEA Games was another reflection of the country's positive transformation and development, and demonstrates Myanmar's ability to host large international events and its desire to integrate into the international community. In the same spirit as its hosting of the 27th SEA Games, Myanmar has made extensive preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship this year. They were on full display at the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, held on 16 and 17 January in Bagan, in central Myanmar.

Singapore is confident that Myanmar will be an active and effective Chairman of ASEAN. Singapore will continue to support Myanmar's Chairmanship and assist in whatever capacity we can. We will also continue to work closely with fellow ASEAN member states to ensure that Myanmar's ASEAN Chairmanship will be a success and bring ASEAN member states closer to our Community goals in 2015.

Mdm Speaker, I thank the Second Minister for the reply. There have been reports that Myanmar received considerable support from the international community, especially from countries like China and Japan, in the staging of their Southeast Games last year. Is there any concern on the part of the Ministry that such influence – be it through soft power like a sports event – could then influence Myanmar as Chair of ASEAN, as we saw it during Cambodia's chairmanship two years ago?

Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. In the process of the country's development, we have

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at one time or another received assistance from many countries. Myanmar and many other developing countries in Asia are probably on the same path. What we would like to do as ASEAN is to have solidarity in the views that affect the common interests of ASEAN. As Members know, ASEAN works on the basis of having unanimous consensus and agreement. Therefore, through the discussions with all the ASEAN member states, we will continue to achieve our common objectives.