The chip sector is at the centre of the current US-China strategic competition. On the one hand, the US is using its dominant position in the global chip supply chains to curtail China’s industrial and technological rise. On the other hand, China seeks to counter the US pressure and compete with the US through increased investment in the chip sector. Caught between this great power chip competition, Southeast Asian states face a challenging external environment and difficult choices, as both the US and China are key tech and trading partners. At the same time, they need to enhance their own chip capabilities, as they aim to modernise their economies and move up the global value chains.
What perspectives do key Southeast Asian states hold on the US-China chip competition? How do they see key challenges and possible policy options? And what will all this mean for future development in the region? These are some of the critical questions the webinar will examine, with the aim of proposing possible ways forward.
For an engaging conversation on this topic, join us for the 12th Counterpoint Southeast Asia public webinar on 26 August 2024, which asks, “
How will Southeast Asia navigate the US-China chip competition?”. Three analysts from the region will provide their unique perspectives on the issue.
Dr Lili Yan Ing is a Senior Economist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). Beside ERIA, she also serves as Secretary General of the International Economic Association (IEA). Dr Ing was appointed as Lead Advisor to the Minister of Trade of Indonesia from 2017–2019 and Senior Advisor on Trade and Investment at the President’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia from 2015–2016. During her services, Indonesia concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Indonesia—Australia CEPA, the Indonesia—Korea CEPA, and the Indonesia—EFTA CEPA, and reactivated the Indonesia—EU CEPA. She represented Indonesia at G20 Trade Ministers Meeting in Argentina in 2018 and WTO Trade Ministers Meeting organised at the OECD Council Meeting in 2018 and 2019.
Mr Manoj Harjani is a Research Fellow and Coordinator in the Military Transformations Programme (MTP) within the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. Prior to joining MTP, Manoj was part of the Future Issues and Technology research cluster at RSIS, where he worked on building up the school’s research agenda and networks at the intersection of science, technology, and national security. Manoj began his career in the Singapore Public Service, with stints at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Centre for Strategic Futures. He was also part of a team at the Public Service Division under the Prime Minister’s Office. Manoj holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the National University of Singapore.
Ms Jassie Hsi Cheng is a Research Associate at the Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Her research centres on the geopolitics of technology, with a particular interest in artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains. Previously, she was a press researcher responsible for public relations activities and communications at the Taipei Representative Office in the UK. Prior to her career in London, she worked at the United Daily News TV as a political reporter, covering government policy, major events and various social movements. Jassie graduated in 2016 from SOAS, University of London with a Master’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy.
Counterpoint Southeast Asia is a webinar and policy brief series that tackles strategic and complex questions facing Southeast Asia by presenting the perspectives of regional academics and policy experts. It is organised by the Centre on Asia and Globalisation, LKYSPP, NUS.
