Dr. Kao Kim Hourn highlighted ASEAN’s role in dialogue and strategic stability.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered remarks at the First Plenary Session of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China, on 16 September 2026. Speaking on “International Order and Strategic Stability”, Dr. Kao outlined the conditions he considered necessary for strategic stability and highlighted ASEAN’s role in dialogue, confidence-building and reducing the risk of miscalculation.
The session focused on international order and strategic stability, with Dr. Kao addressing the topic from the perspective of ASEAN and its regional mechanisms. His remarks highlighted the need for approaches to strategic stability that extend beyond military considerations and incorporate communication, responsible competition, international law and cooperation.
Dr. Kao underscored that strategic stability required not only military balance but also strategic reassurance. He highlighted open communication as an important element in managing relations and emphasised the responsible management of competition to help reduce risks arising from strategic tensions.
He also stressed the importance of respect for international law and inclusive cooperation in supporting a stable international environment. These elements, he noted, complemented efforts to maintain military balance by providing channels for communication and engagement among countries.
In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted ASEAN’s role in fostering dialogue and building confidence through its ASEAN-led mechanisms. He pointed to these mechanisms as avenues for engagement that could help reduce the risk of miscalculation among countries in the region.
The Secretary-General’s participation at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum provided an opportunity to present ASEAN’s approach to international order and strategic stability in the context of the forum’s discussions. His remarks placed emphasis on dialogue, communication, responsible management of competition, respect for international law and inclusive cooperation as elements supporting strategic stability.
The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was held in Beijing, China, with the First Plenary Session addressing “International Order and Strategic Stability”. Dr. Kao’s participation highlighted ASEAN’s institutional role in regional dialogue and confidence-building through its established ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Source: ASEAN
