Letters | US is not retreating from Asia. It’s rewriting the terms of its security umbrella

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The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reaffirmed a major shift in the Indo-Pacific’s security calculus. The core message from Washington was direct and strategically consequential: America is not retreating from the region, but it is no longer prepared to carry Asia’s security burden almost alone.

This marks the end of the old protection model, where many regional states benefited from the US deterrence umbrella while contributing limited military weight of their own. Pete Hegseth’s comment that Washington wants “partners, not protectorates” reflects adjustment, not abandonment. The US remains committed, but that commitment will now be more conditional, reciprocal and capability-driven.

Asia remains central to the future balance of power. Despite pressures in Europe, the Middle East and the western hemisphere, Washington still sees the Indo-Pacific as the decisive theatre of long-term strategic competition.

Deterrence must now be built through deterrence by denial: preventing any power from achieving quick military success in the “first island chain”, the South China Sea or other strategic zones. In practical terms, this means more distributed deployments, stronger access arrangements, resilient bases, deeper logistics networks, maritime domain awareness, integrated joint operations and faster crisis response. The strategic signal is clear: the US will not allow a single power to dominate Asia’s maritime order.

Allies and partners will increasingly be judged by capability, readiness and burden-sharing, not sentiment. A tiered partnership model is emerging, with priority given to states that invest more, integrate more and contribute more. Japan, South Korea and the Philippines are already moving in this direction. For many Southeast Asian states, however, the implications are more difficult, especially for those still trapped in cautious hedging while remaining underinvested in defence capacity.

Regional states will be expected to strengthen maritime security, coastguard capability, cyber resilience, undersea domain awareness and defence industrial cooperation. The material foundations of deterrence now include ships, radars, drones, secure communications, joint training and defence readiness.

Economics, technology and defence are now fused. Security is no longer only about bases and warships, but also supply chains, semiconductors, energy security, critical minerals, subsea cables and cyber systems.

For the Association of Southeast Asian Nations the dilemma is sharper. Asean centrality remains useful diplomatically, but it is not a security shield. Without real capacity in maritime security, cyber defence, undersea infrastructure protection and crisis coordination, the region will rely more on external minilateral structures.

The central message is unmistakable: America is staying, but on new terms.

Collins Chong Yew Keat, foreign affairs analyst, Universiti Malaya

A Central Asian economic bloc would bring benefit

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan earlier this month to promote trade and economic cooperation was also an effort to align with the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the 15th five-year plan. It would be a boon to Hong Kong if the five Central Asian economies, including Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, were to form an economic bloc to advance regional integration.

A bloc would help facilitate cross-border transport and logistics services in this landlocked region. Members would also enjoy synergies in infrastructure, research and development, innovation, and smoother investment and human capital flows.

However, although these countries share similar backgrounds in language, religion and culture, they are also divided on disputes over issues including border demarcation and water distribution. Economic integration would not be viable unless there is a cohesive force to connect them.

Broadly speaking, China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is part of Central Asia. Could it take the helm to forge a bloc for mutual benefit? Under the auspices of China, an economic bloc would foster economic take-off and political stability. Hong Kong, as a “super value-adder”, could provide mediation, financial, logistics and professional services to support this new economic platform.

Albert Lau, Kwun Tong

Respect for privacy vital in sexual health clinics

Hong Kong’s sex education in schools has been criticised for being outdated and unprofessional. My first-ever visit to a Department of Health clinic that provides social hygiene services – in other words, a sexual health clinic – highlights other shortfalls in this aspect of our public healthcare.

Imagine having your personal information broadcast over the clinic’s loudspeaker just to verify an update. Or having the nurse loudly demanding to know who was there for what kind of service in the waiting area. To top it off, imagine receiving treatment in the consultation room while clinic staff and other service users were freely walking through the room.

The alarming disregard for clients’ confidentiality might push people away from these beneficial healthcare services.

Sexual health education should not just take place inside classrooms for youngsters but also for the general public through public information campaigns or visits to healthcare facilities. Residents should be able to seek medical care without fear. Yet, an unwelcoming attitude inevitably deepens the stigma associated with sexual health services.

A poor experience in the clinic can undo the good work of a public campaign and might even lead a resident seeking these essential services to never walk through the door again.

In some societies, sexual health facilities prioritise discretion while upholding professionalism – using anonymous calling systems and ensuring appropriate soundproof design. These measures help create an inviting, shame-free environment – a vital step on the long road to the normalisation and de-stigmatisation of access to such services.

Hong Kong’s public health facilities should be turned into places where people feel safe and confident in tackling their health issues.

Peter Lau, Sha Tin