Bloc on its own cannot control big powers, but together can make their voices heard: PM Lee

Bangkok

AS smaller countries, Asean nations are "not able to control what the big powers do", Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday.

But the countries can stand together and advance Asean's collective interests, whether in trade, security or technology, he told his counterparts on the last day of the 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok. "It's not easy because we are 10 different countries, with strategic forces that pull us in different directions. But we must find common ground where our interests align, and speak as one," he said.

To that end, Mr Lee said he was happy Asean endorsed on Sunday a framework for cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region. "I hop…