Maintaining ecological sustainability requires global initiatives, advances in technology, and changes in policies and consumption patterns. To its credit, China is serious over environmental issues. The recent 17th CCP Congress reaffirms Chinese leaders’ pursuit of “harmonious development”. It also explains why Premier Wen Jiabao agreed readily to my proposal that Singapore and China jointly build an eco-city in China – a city where people, economic activities and the environment co-exist in harmony. We are in the process of choosing a non-agricultural site which lacks water, so that the ecocity there could be a model for China’s new cities. Priorities of ASEAN Southeast Asia is an important piece of the regional structure and will play its part. Later this month, the ASEAN and East Asia Summits will be held in Singapore. Singapore, as ASEAN Chair, has identified climate change and the environment as key agenda items. This will sustain the momentum of discussions on such issues until the December UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Meeting in Bali. In practical terms, Singapore and Malaysia are working with neighbouring Indonesian provinces to tackle peat land fires and develop sustainable land-clearing practices. While Myanmar will no doubt grab media attention at the ASEAN Summit, it will not be the most important story for ASEAN. Of greater importance is the fact that ASEAN leaders will sign a politically-binding declaration to establish an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. ASEAN will evolve into a single market and production base with free flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labour.
Goh Chok Tong: Staying ahead of the Asian curve Speech by Mr Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, at Barclays Asia Forum, Singapore, 1 November 2007. *  *  *  I extend a warm welcome to all of you, especially to those who have not come to Singapore in recent years. I would also like to thank Barclays for organising this Asia Forum as well as this weekend’s Singapore Open. I hope the Singapore Open will grow in prestige as you expand your presence in Singapore and Asia. Singapore’s economic growth rates in the past few years have surprised many, including ourselves. We did not expect to be able to consistently achieve growth rates of above 6% per annum as we are a mature economy. Yes, we have remade our economy but the good growth was also due to the buoyant world economy and a surging Asia. Singapore’s future growth will depend not only on our own efforts but also on our ability to anticipate trends in our external environment and stay ahead of the curve. This morning, I would like to share with you how we see developments in Asia and the challenges before us. Political outlook Let me start with the political outlook. I believe that Asia will remain stable and the regional environment conducive to growth. Post-9/11, the world had to adjust to new insecurities posed by terrorism.