The Association of South-East Asian Nations may not have a parliament or constitute a common trade bloc like the European Union, but it does have an official anthem.
The ASEAN Way takes its name from the distinctly South-East Asian style of diplomacy that characterises the forum: a dialogue-heavy, consensus-driven approach that seeks to avoid confrontation and interference in each other’s affairs.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has strained relations between national neighbours in South-East Asia.Credit: Getty Images
Since its founding 56 years ago, the 10-nation grouping has helped promote peace, stability and economic integration in a region marked by religious, political and ethnic differences. Some of the member nations are democracies and others are autocracies; some are Muslim-majority while others are dominated by Christians or Buddhists.
Yet the forum has become an entrenched feature of the regional diplomatic architecture, with leaders ritualistically stressing the “centrality” of ASEAN in resolving regional issues and engaging with the rest of the world. (Australia is not a member of ASEAN but became the forum’s first dialogue partner 50 years ago).
However, for all the effort to foster cooperation and stifle disagreement, disputes inevitably flare up among the member states – including, of all things, about Taylor Swift.
As ASEAN leaders arrive in Melbourne for a special summit hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Singapore’s status as the only South-East Asian nation to score concert dates on Swift’s Eras tour is testing goodwill among them. Swift is playing six shows at Singapore’s 55,000-seat National Stadium, meaning Swifties across the region have needed to travel overseas or miss out.
Protesters from Mynamar and Cambodia outside the ASEAN summit in Melbourne on Monday.Credit: Justin McManus
Although the details have not been confirmed, Singapore reportedly offered Swift up to $3 million for each show performed in Singapore in exchange for not performing elsewhere in South-East Asia during the tour.
“If she came to Thailand, it would have been cheaper to organise it here, and I believe she would be able to attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand,” Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said at a conference last month.
Bad blood: Taylor Swift tour just the start of disputes in South-East Asia
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04.03.2024
The Association of South-East Asian Nations may not have a parliament or constitute a common trade bloc like the European Union, but it does have an official anthem.
The ASEAN Way takes its name from the distinctly South-East Asian style of diplomacy that characterises the forum: a dialogue-heavy, consensus-driven approach that seeks to avoid confrontation and interference in each other’s affairs.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has strained relations between national neighbours in South-East Asia.Credit: Getty Images
Since its founding 56 years ago, the........
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