# Australia should deepen economic, security ties with Southeast Asia in a fragmented world: SM Lee

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/australia-should-deepen-economic-security-ties-with-southeast-asia-in-a-fragmented-world-sm-lee/
- Published: 2026-11-07T21:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T22:36:42+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lee-hsien-loong-australia-asia-deepen-ties-6531531
- Topics: Asia, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Lee called for closer Australia–Southeast Asia ties.
- He highlighted cooperation in security and emerging industries.
- Australia’s investment in the region remains modest.

## Summary

Lee Hsien Loong urged Australia to deepen its economic, security and people-to-people ties with Southeast Asia, arguing that closer regional partnerships would strengthen Australia’s resilience and competitiveness. He said cooperation among smaller and medium-sized powers is increasingly important as great-power rivalry intensifies and multilateral institutions weaken.

Speaking in the 2026 ABC Boyer Lecture Series, Lee pointed to opportunities in digital and green industries, public health and counterterrorism, and called for Australia to maintain practical ties even with countries where relations are complicated. He said ASEAN has 700 million people and is the world’s fifth-largest economy, while Australia’s trade with the region is substantial and growing but its investment presence remains modest.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.