In June 2019, at a time of rising tensions between the two superpowers, the United States and China, over trade, technology and geopolitics, Southeast Asian nations adopted an important document, ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, at a summit in Bangkok, Thailand. This document clearly expresses the determination of Southeast Asian countries to strengthen regional cooperation and pursue sustainable development along the path of peace, freedom and neutrality against the backdrop of great power competition. As the strategies of many major powers collide in the region (such as China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States and Japan), how individual Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN as a whole respond to the plans of these major powers and what role they play in global and Asia-Pacific affairs will be an important factor in shaping the future international situation.

The release of the document "ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific" itself reflects the desire of Southeast Asian countries to have a strong voice on the international issue of Indo-Pacific, which is closely related to them. In terms of context, ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific not only responds to the strategic concerns of major powers in the region, but also highlighted the four major concerns to Southeast Asian countries themselves ---- maritime cooperation, connectivity, sustainable development and economic issues. All of these points respond to different strategic concerns from different powers, such as maritime cooperation, which is related to the concept of freedom of navigation advocated by the United States, and connectivity, which is linked to China's "One Belt and One Road" initiative. When the major powers are balanced, ASEAN can achieve the most optimal result, namely to promote the rapid growth and modernization of the region's economy with the support of all countries. Judging from the current situation, the launch of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific is definitely a good start.