1 00:00:03,450 --> 00:00:05,750 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:08,478 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: Hi folks. Welcome to the CN A correspondent podcast with me, 3 00:00:11,930 --> 00:00:17,209 Speaker 1: Theresa Tang. So this happened last week, Secretary Blinken. Pleasure 4 00:00:17,290 --> 00:00:21,579 Speaker 1: to meet you. Thank you very much for joining us US, 5 00:00:21,590 --> 00:00:24,940 Speaker 1: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, arguably one of the most 6 00:00:24,950 --> 00:00:28,659 Speaker 1: recognizable and significant diplomats today visited 7 00:00:28,754 --> 00:00:31,555 Speaker 1: Singapore. It was part of a 10 day six nation 8 00:00:31,565 --> 00:00:34,305 Speaker 1: tour of Asia and we had worked for many months 9 00:00:34,314 --> 00:00:36,435 Speaker 1: to get him to sit down with CN A for 10 00:00:36,444 --> 00:00:42,994 Speaker 1: a one on one conversation where you ever wondered what 11 00:00:43,005 --> 00:00:46,654 Speaker 1: happens during those in between moments of a big interview. Well, 12 00:00:46,665 --> 00:00:48,833 Speaker 1: this episode will fill in the blanks. 13 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:53,069 Speaker 1: How's your day been so far? Terrific? Great day here. Yeah, 14 00:00:53,119 --> 00:00:57,409 Speaker 1: the insight that we get is also incredibly, almost invaluable. 15 00:00:57,419 --> 00:00:59,490 Speaker 1: So it's been a good day. Hopefully we'll end on 16 00:00:59,500 --> 00:01:03,029 Speaker 1: a high note. We'll also unpack what Mr Blinken told 17 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:06,119 Speaker 1: us about America's view of itself in Asia as we 18 00:01:06,129 --> 00:01:08,419 Speaker 1: sit on the brink of a new US administration. 19 00:01:13,029 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: Joining me to discuss our CNN exclusive interview, our correspondent 20 00:01:16,330 --> 00:01:20,010 Speaker 1: Simon Marks in London and Leong Wai Kit in Singapore. Hey, gentlemen, 21 00:01:20,019 --> 00:01:21,389 Speaker 1: how's it going there? 22 00:01:22,250 --> 00:01:22,889 Speaker 2: Very good. Very 23 00:01:23,069 --> 00:01:25,809 Speaker 1: good. I know you both can sympathize with me. When 24 00:01:25,819 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 1: I say I had a crazy week when you're given 25 00:01:28,050 --> 00:01:31,250 Speaker 1: an assignment, you're told you'll be speaking to a significant figure. 26 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:34,150 Speaker 1: It's exciting. It's nerve wracking all of the things, all 27 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: the feelings. I know 28 00:01:35,250 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: both been there. What's your game plan? Usually 29 00:01:38,050 --> 00:01:38,059 Speaker 2: I 30 00:01:38,069 --> 00:01:41,589 Speaker 2: have two golden rules. Theresa, one of them is an 31 00:01:41,599 --> 00:01:43,769 Speaker 2: age old rule which is always try and get a 32 00:01:43,779 --> 00:01:47,190 Speaker 2: good night's sleep the night before the second rule is 33 00:01:47,199 --> 00:01:50,449 Speaker 2: a bit more modern, which is during the interview. Try 34 00:01:50,459 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: to avoid anything that is going to go viral 35 00:01:53,690 --> 00:01:55,180 Speaker 1: for all the wrong reasons. 36 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:56,790 Speaker 1: Ok. That's a good one. I'm going to keep that 37 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,980 Speaker 1: in my pocket. I've learned something new Simon. 38 00:02:01,019 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: Well, um, for me, I read extensively and make sure 39 00:02:05,809 --> 00:02:07,879 Speaker 1: I know the topic that we are both going to 40 00:02:07,889 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 1: be discussing 41 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,978 Speaker 1: and I always listen out for jargons. I've been taught 42 00:02:12,990 --> 00:02:16,109 Speaker 1: by veterans to never allow your V VIP s to 43 00:02:16,119 --> 00:02:20,470 Speaker 1: hide behind jargons. These are words crafted by the press 44 00:02:20,479 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 1: people for them to stay safe behind. So I will 45 00:02:23,929 --> 00:02:28,869 Speaker 1: ask them to define, get specifics and ask for examples. 46 00:02:28,889 --> 00:02:31,710 Speaker 1: Those are great tips. Thanks guys. Yeah. For me, it 47 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,490 Speaker 1: was figuring out which areas to focus on given. We 48 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:36,839 Speaker 1: had a time constraint. We were only told seven minutes. 49 00:02:36,850 --> 00:02:37,538 Speaker 1: That's it. 50 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:40,279 Speaker 1: But beyond the editorial, I take a lot of time 51 00:02:40,288 --> 00:02:43,460 Speaker 1: to think about what would make my interviewee comfortable. So 52 00:02:43,470 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: those first few seconds we meet, we are getting their 53 00:02:45,889 --> 00:02:46,979 Speaker 1: microphone clipped on 54 00:02:47,380 --> 00:02:51,759 Speaker 1: that point is absolutely crucial because when they're comfortable, I'm 55 00:02:51,770 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: comfortable and it's just going to make for a better conversation, 56 00:02:54,330 --> 00:02:55,309 Speaker 1: don't you think? Yeah, 57 00:02:55,320 --> 00:03:00,029 Speaker 2: no question about it. Theresa. I remember back in 2003 58 00:03:00,139 --> 00:03:02,589 Speaker 2: and I can almost tell you the precise date for reasons. 59 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,309 Speaker 2: I will explain. I did an interview with President George 60 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:07,570 Speaker 2: W Bush at the White House. By the time I 61 00:03:07,580 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 2: got in there, I was the third interview. He was 62 00:03:10,330 --> 00:03:12,559 Speaker 2: doing 37 minute interview 63 00:03:13,018 --> 00:03:16,957 Speaker 2: and he had not enjoyed the previous two. I however, 64 00:03:16,977 --> 00:03:20,968 Speaker 2: had been called back from paternity leave to do this interview. 65 00:03:20,977 --> 00:03:24,438 Speaker 2: My eldest son, now 21 had been born a week before. 66 00:03:24,727 --> 00:03:27,177 Speaker 2: So I walked into the room and I said, Mr President, 67 00:03:27,188 --> 00:03:31,078 Speaker 2: I have truly felt the power of your office this week. 68 00:03:31,087 --> 00:03:32,786 Speaker 2: And he looked at me and he said, why is that? 69 00:03:32,798 --> 00:03:35,367 Speaker 2: And I said, because I'm on paternity leave. My son 70 00:03:35,378 --> 00:03:37,828 Speaker 2: was born a week ago and it instantly, 71 00:03:37,936 --> 00:03:40,485 Speaker 2: he broke the ice and he suddenly put himself into 72 00:03:40,496 --> 00:03:41,645 Speaker 2: a much better frame of mind. 73 00:03:41,656 --> 00:03:41,985 Speaker 1: That's 74 00:03:41,996 --> 00:03:44,785 Speaker 1: an amazing story. Wow. Well, for me, Theresa, I always 75 00:03:44,796 --> 00:03:47,876 Speaker 1: make sure that I have a glass of water so that, 76 00:03:47,886 --> 00:03:50,876 Speaker 1: whichever VIP walks in, I'll just offer him and more 77 00:03:50,886 --> 00:03:53,535 Speaker 1: often than not, they appreciate it because they are rushing 78 00:03:53,546 --> 00:03:56,425 Speaker 1: from point to point and they take a sip And 79 00:03:56,436 --> 00:03:58,886 Speaker 1: then I'll just ask, oh, how is your schedule? Did 80 00:03:58,895 --> 00:04:02,055 Speaker 1: you sleep enough? More often than not, they'll say, oh, 81 00:04:02,065 --> 00:04:03,115 Speaker 1: no more. 82 00:04:03,214 --> 00:04:05,873 Speaker 1: Rest is always good. And then you break the ice. 83 00:04:05,884 --> 00:04:10,464 Speaker 1: He loves, I love his minder laughs. Everybody laughs. And 84 00:04:10,473 --> 00:04:13,104 Speaker 1: I remember when I was in Vientiane, I caught a 85 00:04:13,113 --> 00:04:17,033 Speaker 1: glimpse of Mr Lincoln and my first thought was, man, 86 00:04:17,044 --> 00:04:20,553 Speaker 1: he looked exhausted. I mean, granted he was on his 87 00:04:20,563 --> 00:04:25,514 Speaker 1: Southeast Asian tour. But I'm curious, Teresa, what was your impression, 88 00:04:25,523 --> 00:04:28,394 Speaker 1: meeting him? When we sat down with the secretary? 89 00:04:28,492 --> 00:04:31,832 Speaker 1: We were the last item on his agenda that day earlier, 90 00:04:31,842 --> 00:04:34,911 Speaker 1: he met with the Singapore Prime Minister, senior officials and 91 00:04:34,921 --> 00:04:37,731 Speaker 1: he had gone through a slew of events. We were 92 00:04:37,742 --> 00:04:40,971 Speaker 1: the final thing standing between him and his flight to Mongolia. 93 00:04:41,171 --> 00:04:43,201 Speaker 1: But you know, I have to say when he came in, 94 00:04:43,212 --> 00:04:47,371 Speaker 1: he was so genuinely friendly. He was polite and there's 95 00:04:47,380 --> 00:04:51,562 Speaker 1: actually an article by Politico titled is Anthony Lincoln. Too 96 00:04:51,571 --> 00:04:54,631 Speaker 1: nice to be Secretary of State. And it makes me 97 00:04:54,641 --> 00:04:56,462 Speaker 1: laugh right now because having met him, 98 00:04:56,700 --> 00:04:59,950 Speaker 1: yes, he exudes those nice vibes. And the article says 99 00:04:59,959 --> 00:05:01,678 Speaker 1: Mr Lincoln is famously polite 100 00:05:02,019 --> 00:05:04,409 Speaker 1: and he really is Simon. You're in London, but you're 101 00:05:04,420 --> 00:05:07,929 Speaker 1: based in DC. What is Secretary Blinken reputation like 102 00:05:07,940 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: there 103 00:05:08,529 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 2: very much as you've described Theresa. He's a policy wonk. 104 00:05:12,290 --> 00:05:16,079 Speaker 2: Someone asked me recently why there was no buzz about 105 00:05:16,089 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 2: Antony Blinken becoming a possible presidential candidate. That's not who 106 00:05:20,329 --> 00:05:23,709 Speaker 2: he is. At all, he's never held elected office and 107 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:27,109 Speaker 2: he and Joe Biden have worked together extremely closely for many, 108 00:05:27,119 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 2: many years. He's all 109 00:05:28,356 --> 00:05:32,096 Speaker 2: always served for decades as sort of Joe Biden's kitchen 110 00:05:32,106 --> 00:05:36,016 Speaker 2: cabinet member on issues of foreign policy. He is a 111 00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:41,777 Speaker 2: very passionate man and compassionate. So when you see him travel, often, 112 00:05:41,786 --> 00:05:44,136 Speaker 2: you will see that at the end of an event, 113 00:05:44,147 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 2: he will engage with people, particularly young people. He wants 114 00:05:48,437 --> 00:05:51,307 Speaker 2: to encourage young people to learn about the world and 115 00:05:51,315 --> 00:05:54,617 Speaker 2: is often video images of him talking particularly to Children 116 00:05:54,694 --> 00:05:56,574 Speaker 2: that may have been brought along to meet him about 117 00:05:56,584 --> 00:06:01,264 Speaker 2: their hopes and aspirations. He's also a musician. He's definitely 118 00:06:01,273 --> 00:06:04,842 Speaker 2: got the music in him. He loves playing guitar, he 119 00:06:04,854 --> 00:06:08,243 Speaker 2: plays in a band. Occasionally the band will be rolled 120 00:06:08,253 --> 00:06:12,074 Speaker 2: out at State Department or even other events for visiting dignitaries. 121 00:06:12,204 --> 00:06:16,473 Speaker 2: So he's a multifaceted guy and he's absolutely not someone 122 00:06:16,484 --> 00:06:20,843 Speaker 2: with any aspirations to run for office. He's someone to, 123 00:06:21,031 --> 00:06:24,730 Speaker 2: to mired in the policy issues about which he cares 124 00:06:24,790 --> 00:06:26,700 Speaker 2: and he cares about those very deeply. 125 00:06:26,710 --> 00:06:26,890 Speaker 1: I 126 00:06:26,901 --> 00:06:29,430 Speaker 1: actually wanted to ask him if he packed a guitar 127 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:31,851 Speaker 1: or any other instrument, but I didn't get the chance. 128 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:36,210 Speaker 1: Mr Lincoln's team gave our team seven minutes, as I mentioned, 129 00:06:36,221 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: but we ended up speaking for nearly 15 minutes and 130 00:06:39,411 --> 00:06:41,871 Speaker 1: I actually ignored signals to wrap up a couple of 131 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: times and a note to our listeners, you can actually 132 00:06:44,210 --> 00:06:46,811 Speaker 1: watch the entire interview on youtube, make sure you check 133 00:06:46,821 --> 00:06:47,130 Speaker 1: it out. 134 00:06:47,549 --> 00:06:50,049 Speaker 1: And off the top. Simon, I asked Mr Blinken about 135 00:06:50,059 --> 00:06:53,029 Speaker 1: a breaking news story that day, my editors and I 136 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:54,970 Speaker 1: thought it would be best to bring it up right 137 00:06:54,980 --> 00:06:57,419 Speaker 1: out of the gate. Here's a clip a few hours ago, 138 00:06:57,428 --> 00:07:01,118 Speaker 1: Hamas said that its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh was killed 139 00:07:01,130 --> 00:07:04,049 Speaker 1: in Tehran by an Israeli strike and they're calling it 140 00:07:04,190 --> 00:07:08,989 Speaker 1: an assassination. Haniyeh was involved in cease fire talks in Gaza. 141 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,369 Speaker 1: What impact is his death going to have? Well, of course, 142 00:07:11,380 --> 00:07:13,089 Speaker 1: I've seen the reports. What I can tell you is 143 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:15,170 Speaker 1: this first, this is something we were not 144 00:07:15,260 --> 00:07:18,489 Speaker 1: aware of or involved in. It's very hard to speculate 145 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:21,250 Speaker 1: and I've learned over many years never to speculate on 146 00:07:21,260 --> 00:07:24,119 Speaker 1: the impact one event may have on something else. So 147 00:07:24,130 --> 00:07:26,299 Speaker 1: I can't tell you what this means. I can tell 148 00:07:26,309 --> 00:07:31,079 Speaker 1: you that the imperative of getting a ceasefire, the importance 149 00:07:31,089 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: that that has for everyone remains. Simon. The secretary is 150 00:07:36,489 --> 00:07:39,679 Speaker 1: a career diplomat and we know he's perfected the art 151 00:07:39,690 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: of saying a lot without really saying anything. Right. 152 00:07:43,170 --> 00:07:45,869 Speaker 2: Well, he did certainly on that particular issue. I mean, 153 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:49,559 Speaker 2: the news of Ismail Haniyeh's killing had broken just a 154 00:07:49,570 --> 00:07:51,829 Speaker 2: few hours before you sat down to do that interview. 155 00:07:52,029 --> 00:07:55,390 Speaker 2: And so I think that he was very cautious in 156 00:07:55,399 --> 00:07:58,670 Speaker 2: terms of approaching the subject. It's interesting that he made 157 00:07:58,679 --> 00:08:02,230 Speaker 2: the point that the United States had absolutely no prior knowledge. 158 00:08:02,239 --> 00:08:05,989 Speaker 2: He said of the attack on the Hamas leader in 159 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:06,390 Speaker 2: Iraq 160 00:08:06,700 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 2: while he was attending the Iranian president's inauguration. And in 161 00:08:11,170 --> 00:08:15,339 Speaker 2: those very early moments after the event, what the Secretary 162 00:08:15,350 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: of State was trying to do was basically almost follow 163 00:08:18,609 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 2: the doctor's code, do no harm. He absolutely stuck to 164 00:08:23,890 --> 00:08:29,149 Speaker 2: the administration's talking points, turning the conversation towards the importance 165 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:29,549 Speaker 2: of 166 00:08:29,829 --> 00:08:33,659 Speaker 2: ceasefire negotiations and getting the hostages that are currently being 167 00:08:33,669 --> 00:08:37,799 Speaker 2: held in Gaza out even though we all now know 168 00:08:37,809 --> 00:08:40,929 Speaker 2: that the events of that particular day have made it much, 169 00:08:40,940 --> 00:08:43,849 Speaker 2: much harder to get those ceasefire negotiations advancing. 170 00:08:44,059 --> 00:08:47,210 Speaker 1: Yes, the secretary was going from one event to another event. 171 00:08:47,219 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: And just before our interview, actually, his staff told us 172 00:08:49,770 --> 00:08:52,859 Speaker 1: that he needed five minutes to be briefed on the latest. 173 00:08:52,869 --> 00:08:53,090 Speaker 1: And 174 00:08:53,380 --> 00:08:56,159 Speaker 1: to me, it really spoke to how demanding a job 175 00:08:56,169 --> 00:08:58,299 Speaker 1: like his is right. You have to be on message 176 00:08:58,309 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: on the ball all the time and that message he 177 00:09:01,409 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: brought on his visit was all about assuring Asia that 178 00:09:04,409 --> 00:09:07,989 Speaker 1: America is very much invested and committed to this part 179 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 1: of the world. The US was so clear about that objective. 180 00:09:10,820 --> 00:09:14,179 Speaker 1: Yk you were in Laos covering the ASEAN foreign ministers 181 00:09:14,190 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: meeting at the end of last month and Mr Blinken 182 00:09:17,289 --> 00:09:20,020 Speaker 1: was there as well. There were tensions right, particularly when 183 00:09:20,030 --> 00:09:22,479 Speaker 1: it came to the South China Sea issue. Yeah, I 184 00:09:22,489 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 1: think these top diplomats whenever they gather for such a platform, 185 00:09:26,450 --> 00:09:30,039 Speaker 1: they do two things. One they project that they're able 186 00:09:30,049 --> 00:09:33,609 Speaker 1: to shake hands with whomever sit down together for a 187 00:09:33,619 --> 00:09:37,159 Speaker 1: political dialogue. But two, they also want 188 00:09:37,247 --> 00:09:40,776 Speaker 1: to make the national message put that across and, and 189 00:09:40,785 --> 00:09:44,697 Speaker 1: that was exactly what the Philippines did and what China did. 190 00:09:44,756 --> 00:09:48,655 Speaker 1: Diplomats told us that Philippines had wanted to include a 191 00:09:48,666 --> 00:09:52,526 Speaker 1: clause at the end of the joint document to put 192 00:09:52,535 --> 00:09:55,785 Speaker 1: on record that there was some form of injury sustained 193 00:09:55,796 --> 00:09:58,896 Speaker 1: on the South China Sea. Of course, that incident took 194 00:09:58,905 --> 00:10:01,517 Speaker 1: place sometime in June. There was a sailor who lost 195 00:10:01,526 --> 00:10:03,586 Speaker 1: his thumb during an altercation, 196 00:10:03,674 --> 00:10:06,573 Speaker 1: the Chinese side. But of course, that paragraph did not 197 00:10:06,583 --> 00:10:10,142 Speaker 1: make it to the final joint communique China. On the 198 00:10:10,153 --> 00:10:13,653 Speaker 1: other hand, it also slammed the Philippines for and I'm 199 00:10:13,664 --> 00:10:18,354 Speaker 1: rephrasing here its megaphone diplomacy being vocal on the South 200 00:10:18,364 --> 00:10:21,643 Speaker 1: China Sea when there are incidents, it also warned the 201 00:10:21,653 --> 00:10:26,343 Speaker 1: Philippines to not use us midrange missiles on the South 202 00:10:26,354 --> 00:10:29,883 Speaker 1: China Sea saying that this would raise tensions as well 203 00:10:29,893 --> 00:10:30,013 Speaker 1: as 204 00:10:30,101 --> 00:10:34,591 Speaker 1: spark an arms race. But when you see these diplomats 205 00:10:34,601 --> 00:10:39,901 Speaker 1: walking around looking important with their great entourage following behind, 206 00:10:39,910 --> 00:10:43,250 Speaker 1: you cannot get a sense that there is tension. So 207 00:10:43,260 --> 00:10:47,241 Speaker 1: these diplomats do a great job by projecting that they 208 00:10:47,250 --> 00:10:50,750 Speaker 1: are able to come together, sit down in the room 209 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:54,260 Speaker 1: and have political dialogue. Yet at the same time putting 210 00:10:54,270 --> 00:10:56,401 Speaker 1: their national message across, 211 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:00,039 Speaker 1: I knew that ASEAN was one area I absolutely had 212 00:11:00,049 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 1: to touch on with Secretary Blinken and in particular the 213 00:11:03,210 --> 00:11:07,299 Speaker 1: dynamic with the quad grouping which consists of the US, Japan, 214 00:11:07,450 --> 00:11:10,830 Speaker 1: India and Australia. Take a listen to that part of 215 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: our conversation. You mentioned ASEAN and ASEAN centrality is really 216 00:11:14,409 --> 00:11:15,858 Speaker 1: all about the block 217 00:11:15,969 --> 00:11:19,690 Speaker 1: deciding for itself its relationships in this region and it's 218 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,989 Speaker 1: an incredibly varied group of nations. There is no one 219 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,218 Speaker 1: opinion of the Quad but some members are fearful. Some 220 00:11:26,229 --> 00:11:30,590 Speaker 1: members see the potential of the quad being a regional 221 00:11:30,599 --> 00:11:33,699 Speaker 1: order making institution. What would you say to those members 222 00:11:33,710 --> 00:11:34,549 Speaker 1: who have that fear? 223 00:11:34,890 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: I'd say that what the Quad is and the other 224 00:11:37,289 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: arrangements that we have are are complementary to supportive of 225 00:11:40,989 --> 00:11:43,799 Speaker 1: ASEAN and its central mission and core mission. What we're 226 00:11:43,809 --> 00:11:46,590 Speaker 1: interested in doing is finding ways to make sure that 227 00:11:46,599 --> 00:11:50,489 Speaker 1: we have the most effective vehicles for addressing particular problems 228 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,669 Speaker 1: and in places that can be done very effectively working 229 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:55,989 Speaker 1: with and through ASEAN. 230 00:11:56,369 --> 00:12:00,150 Speaker 1: There are other places where having specific fit for purpose 231 00:12:00,159 --> 00:12:03,468 Speaker 1: arrangements among countries makes the most sense. And with the quad, 232 00:12:03,479 --> 00:12:05,919 Speaker 1: we bring a lot of resources to bear, we bring 233 00:12:05,929 --> 00:12:08,950 Speaker 1: some unique capacities to bear. We bring some different relationships 234 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:09,500 Speaker 1: to bear 235 00:12:09,719 --> 00:12:11,689 Speaker 1: and we hope that that can make a difference. But 236 00:12:11,729 --> 00:12:15,500 Speaker 1: in doing things that are in the interests of, for example, 237 00:12:15,510 --> 00:12:19,219 Speaker 1: all of the ASEAN countries, can you cover ASEAN extensively 238 00:12:19,229 --> 00:12:22,228 Speaker 1: hearing that? What do you think members would make of 239 00:12:22,239 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 1: Mr Lincoln's answer ASEAN as a bloc would lap up 240 00:12:26,409 --> 00:12:30,789 Speaker 1: that answer because he's using language that ASEAN is very 241 00:12:30,799 --> 00:12:37,380 Speaker 1: familiar with. He mentioned central mission, which is your ASEAN centrality. 242 00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:38,030 Speaker 1: These are 243 00:12:38,195 --> 00:12:42,934 Speaker 1: words, music to ASEAN as a bloc's ears. And also 244 00:12:42,945 --> 00:12:46,554 Speaker 1: his message was on the same page as ASEAN as 245 00:12:46,565 --> 00:12:49,994 Speaker 1: a block. But that's on the diplomatic front. We know 246 00:12:50,005 --> 00:12:53,005 Speaker 1: that ASEAN is split, there will be some ASEAN member 247 00:12:53,015 --> 00:12:57,375 Speaker 1: states who would want to take advantage of their recent 248 00:12:57,385 --> 00:13:01,335 Speaker 1: ties with Japan, right on that leverage on that and 249 00:13:01,344 --> 00:13:04,973 Speaker 1: perhaps have a bigger voice on the security front when 250 00:13:04,984 --> 00:13:06,575 Speaker 1: it comes to Japan and Quad. 251 00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 1: But then there will be other members who are closer 252 00:13:09,969 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 1: to China who may not be so enthusiastic about this position, 253 00:13:14,330 --> 00:13:20,340 Speaker 1: perhaps also reflecting China's view that Quad is a destabilizing 254 00:13:20,349 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: actor for the region. Simon, you mentioned earlier, Mr Lincoln 255 00:13:24,530 --> 00:13:27,590 Speaker 1: has worked alongside President Biden for a really long time, 256 00:13:27,599 --> 00:13:30,299 Speaker 1: more than two decades and the secretary is both a 257 00:13:30,309 --> 00:13:32,799 Speaker 1: friend and a longtime adviser given 258 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,340 Speaker 1: we are about to see a new leader installed in 259 00:13:35,349 --> 00:13:39,140 Speaker 1: the United States. I asked the secretary about the future. 260 00:13:39,150 --> 00:13:42,599 Speaker 1: Listen to this. What would you tell the next American president, 261 00:13:42,609 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: what should be a priority for them for Asia? If 262 00:13:45,650 --> 00:13:48,488 Speaker 1: you look at where I think the overwhelming majority of 263 00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:51,690 Speaker 1: Americans are, they are for the United States that's engaged, 264 00:13:51,700 --> 00:13:54,900 Speaker 1: that's leading, that's working in partnership with others, not doing 265 00:13:54,909 --> 00:13:58,010 Speaker 1: things alone. I think they know both intuitively and in 266 00:13:58,020 --> 00:13:58,939 Speaker 1: a very practical way. 267 00:13:59,429 --> 00:14:01,010 Speaker 1: That we're going to be much more effective if we 268 00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:03,599 Speaker 1: can make common cause with other countries to actually get 269 00:14:03,609 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 1: things done. 270 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,669 Speaker 1: And that's, I think reflects the overwhelming majority of Americans 271 00:14:07,890 --> 00:14:10,429 Speaker 1: for the next president. Well, far be it for me 272 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,218 Speaker 1: to give advice. But I think I can tell you 273 00:14:12,229 --> 00:14:15,210 Speaker 1: this because I know this working for both of them. 274 00:14:15,270 --> 00:14:18,659 Speaker 1: Both President Biden and Vice President Harris believe strongly that 275 00:14:18,669 --> 00:14:23,219 Speaker 1: first when the United States is not engaged, if we're 276 00:14:23,229 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: not leading, then probably someone else is and maybe not 277 00:14:26,650 --> 00:14:29,619 Speaker 1: in a way that's going to advance our interests and values. Simon. 278 00:14:29,630 --> 00:14:32,219 Speaker 1: We heard Mr Lincoln there say quote, if we are 279 00:14:32,229 --> 00:14:34,179 Speaker 1: not leading, then probably someone else 280 00:14:34,255 --> 00:14:37,294 Speaker 1: is now he doesn't name names, but who are we 281 00:14:37,304 --> 00:14:38,294 Speaker 1: talking about here? 282 00:14:38,445 --> 00:14:41,835 Speaker 2: Well, he's clearly talking about China, but in this interview, 283 00:14:42,025 --> 00:14:46,734 Speaker 2: he never allowed himself to articulate the word China at all, 284 00:14:46,744 --> 00:14:50,315 Speaker 2: which must require an extraordinary degree of discipline given the 285 00:14:50,325 --> 00:14:56,354 Speaker 2: centrality of China and its expansionist aims and ambitions in 286 00:14:56,364 --> 00:15:00,364 Speaker 2: American foreign policy, particularly as Mr Blinken was engaging in 287 00:15:00,375 --> 00:15:03,635 Speaker 2: that regional trip. But look, the United States, whether he 288 00:15:03,645 --> 00:15:03,765 Speaker 2: are 289 00:15:03,830 --> 00:15:07,929 Speaker 2: articulates the name of the country or not, absolutely is 290 00:15:07,940 --> 00:15:14,179 Speaker 2: focused on trying to improve its own partnerships and alliances 291 00:15:14,190 --> 00:15:17,030 Speaker 2: in the region in trying to burnish its own credentials 292 00:15:17,039 --> 00:15:21,010 Speaker 2: in the region because the Biden administration has realized and 293 00:15:21,020 --> 00:15:24,250 Speaker 2: and its critics argue it's realized this too late that 294 00:15:24,260 --> 00:15:27,409 Speaker 2: the United States over the last several years has not 295 00:15:27,419 --> 00:15:31,650 Speaker 2: done enough to burnish some of those credentials. So this 296 00:15:31,659 --> 00:15:33,330 Speaker 2: visit to a considerable degree 297 00:15:33,505 --> 00:15:38,434 Speaker 2: was substantially about China. But it is interesting that he 298 00:15:38,445 --> 00:15:42,015 Speaker 2: never used the name of the country, never discussed President 299 00:15:42,025 --> 00:15:45,344 Speaker 2: Xi Jinping at all in any sense. Given that that 300 00:15:45,354 --> 00:15:50,054 Speaker 2: absolutely lies front and center of America's policy in the 301 00:15:50,065 --> 00:15:52,974 Speaker 2: region and of the need for the United States to 302 00:15:52,984 --> 00:15:57,744 Speaker 2: try and deepen ties because of the fear in Washington 303 00:15:57,755 --> 00:16:00,585 Speaker 2: that to some extent, China has stolen a march, not 304 00:16:00,594 --> 00:16:02,914 Speaker 2: just in the Asia Pacific region, but in other parts 305 00:16:02,979 --> 00:16:07,140 Speaker 2: of the world as well during particularly the Trump administration, 306 00:16:07,150 --> 00:16:10,099 Speaker 2: but also arguably prior to that as well, 307 00:16:10,250 --> 00:16:14,020 Speaker 1: why it ASEAN has taken pains to maintain strong relations 308 00:16:14,030 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: with its dialogue partners, some of them not always friendly 309 00:16:17,289 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: to each other. How delicate is this balance and how 310 00:16:20,330 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: do you see ASEAN US ties post election ASEAN by 311 00:16:24,650 --> 00:16:28,260 Speaker 1: now is very used to leadership change once every five 312 00:16:28,270 --> 00:16:32,469 Speaker 1: years or so. Some leadership changes, easy to handle 313 00:16:32,554 --> 00:16:37,034 Speaker 1: others. A lot trickier. For instance, there is no post 314 00:16:37,375 --> 00:16:40,405 Speaker 1: Myanmar election plan as yet. So you're going to have 315 00:16:40,414 --> 00:16:44,085 Speaker 1: to think about how ASEAN will have to navigate those 316 00:16:44,094 --> 00:16:48,515 Speaker 1: ties with Myanmar. If the junta were to hold elections, 317 00:16:48,705 --> 00:16:51,344 Speaker 1: there are other ties that are also more delicate. We're 318 00:16:51,354 --> 00:16:55,294 Speaker 1: talking about your China US relations. But you ask any 319 00:16:55,304 --> 00:17:00,094 Speaker 1: minister in ASEAN, any diplomat, any foreign service officer, they 320 00:17:00,104 --> 00:17:02,054 Speaker 1: will tell you that ASEAN will not 321 00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:05,750 Speaker 1: and cannot interfere with leadership change. They will work with 322 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:10,629 Speaker 1: whomever is elected and they will not want to choose sites. Again, 323 00:17:10,719 --> 00:17:14,659 Speaker 1: diplomatic talk because people have already chosen sites. If you 324 00:17:14,670 --> 00:17:18,310 Speaker 1: recall this year, there was a local think tank, Yusuf 325 00:17:18,319 --> 00:17:21,979 Speaker 1: Isha Institute and they ran a survey launched a few 326 00:17:21,989 --> 00:17:25,979 Speaker 1: years ago for the first time respondents picked China when 327 00:17:25,989 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 1: asked to choose sites. And I remember having lunch with 328 00:17:29,410 --> 00:17:31,630 Speaker 1: a US diplomat not too long ago. And of course, 329 00:17:31,704 --> 00:17:36,254 Speaker 1: this topic came up. His response as expected was Washington 330 00:17:36,265 --> 00:17:38,573 Speaker 1: is keeping a close watch on this. And of course, 331 00:17:38,584 --> 00:17:44,004 Speaker 1: Washington values the relations it has with Asia. But Theresa, 332 00:17:44,015 --> 00:17:46,744 Speaker 1: you spoke to Mr Blinken and he talked about these 333 00:17:46,785 --> 00:17:50,175 Speaker 1: relations and the importance of them. Let's take a listen 334 00:17:50,185 --> 00:17:53,104 Speaker 1: as we're looking at the world, we see that virtually 335 00:17:53,114 --> 00:17:56,764 Speaker 1: none of the challenges that we have to address that 336 00:17:56,775 --> 00:18:00,524 Speaker 1: actually impact the lives of Americans. Can we effectively successfully 337 00:18:00,535 --> 00:18:01,114 Speaker 1: do along? 338 00:18:01,550 --> 00:18:03,969 Speaker 1: It requires doing things in partnership of one kind or 339 00:18:03,979 --> 00:18:07,909 Speaker 1: another with different countries, with different institutions, with different actors. 340 00:18:08,390 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 1: So it's clear Simon that engagement with the Indo Pacific 341 00:18:11,410 --> 00:18:12,569 Speaker 1: will continue. 342 00:18:13,010 --> 00:18:16,229 Speaker 1: What happens though to all of these ideas, these strategies 343 00:18:16,239 --> 00:18:18,790 Speaker 1: in the event of a Donald Trump victory in 344 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:19,319 Speaker 1: November. 345 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 2: Well, I think that that is very hard at this 346 00:18:21,530 --> 00:18:25,670 Speaker 2: point to project and whatever the case, the outcome of 347 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:29,180 Speaker 2: the American election in November, there are big changes coming 348 00:18:29,189 --> 00:18:32,540 Speaker 2: Kamala Harris has made it absolutely clear that Joe Biden's 349 00:18:32,550 --> 00:18:37,089 Speaker 2: national security team, Antony Blinken. Jake Sullivan, the national security 350 00:18:37,099 --> 00:18:39,959 Speaker 2: adviser and defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will 351 00:18:40,064 --> 00:18:43,334 Speaker 2: not be part of any government that she forms. She's 352 00:18:43,344 --> 00:18:46,364 Speaker 2: going to bring her own people in. As of course, 353 00:18:46,375 --> 00:18:49,135 Speaker 2: will former president Donald Trump. Now, if you look at 354 00:18:49,145 --> 00:18:51,885 Speaker 2: some of the rhetoric that we heard at the Republican 355 00:18:51,895 --> 00:18:56,294 Speaker 2: convention in Milwaukee just a few days ago, the argument 356 00:18:56,305 --> 00:19:00,534 Speaker 2: that was being advanced by Senator JD Vance. Donald Trump's 357 00:19:00,545 --> 00:19:05,093 Speaker 2: running mate and others was that in JD Vance's words, 358 00:19:05,104 --> 00:19:07,084 Speaker 2: any nation that had taken 359 00:19:07,300 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 2: an advantage of America's generosity, particularly in terms of security 360 00:19:12,770 --> 00:19:16,869 Speaker 2: provisions would find itself dealing with a very different United 361 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:20,709 Speaker 2: States of America. Now, what does that mean? For example, 362 00:19:20,719 --> 00:19:23,938 Speaker 2: for the Korean Peninsula, what does it mean in terms 363 00:19:23,949 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 2: of the possibility of Donald Trump saying to the South Koreans, 364 00:19:27,900 --> 00:19:31,609 Speaker 2: you want continued military cover, you need to pay for 365 00:19:31,619 --> 00:19:34,040 Speaker 2: it in exactly the same way. Of course, as Donald Trump, 366 00:19:34,474 --> 00:19:38,234 Speaker 2: that argument towards several NATO members that he argued were 367 00:19:38,244 --> 00:19:41,295 Speaker 2: not as he puts it paying their dues by which 368 00:19:41,305 --> 00:19:46,464 Speaker 2: he means committing 2% of GDP to defense expenditure. So 369 00:19:46,484 --> 00:19:48,525 Speaker 2: there's all sorts of questions in the event of a 370 00:19:48,535 --> 00:19:53,785 Speaker 2: Trump victory that will hang over America's alliances and partners 371 00:19:53,795 --> 00:19:56,415 Speaker 2: if Donald Trump moves to that sort of much more 372 00:19:56,425 --> 00:20:01,094 Speaker 2: transactional approach. However, the Republicans say that what Donald Trump 373 00:20:01,104 --> 00:20:01,334 Speaker 2: does 374 00:20:01,439 --> 00:20:04,569 Speaker 2: want to do is pivot away from Europe that Europe 375 00:20:04,579 --> 00:20:07,219 Speaker 2: needs to start taking care of itself and that what 376 00:20:07,229 --> 00:20:10,050 Speaker 2: a second Trump administration is going to be all about 377 00:20:10,109 --> 00:20:14,099 Speaker 2: is pivoting towards the Asia Pacific region in a bid 378 00:20:14,109 --> 00:20:19,010 Speaker 2: further to confront China. Now the detail of that remains 379 00:20:19,020 --> 00:20:22,219 Speaker 2: at this point unknowable on the flip side of the coin, 380 00:20:22,229 --> 00:20:25,420 Speaker 2: Kamala Harris will be moving her own people in and 381 00:20:25,430 --> 00:20:28,459 Speaker 2: principle among them is likely to be 382 00:20:28,564 --> 00:20:33,425 Speaker 2: her current foreign policy. National security adviser, Philip Gordon. He's 383 00:20:33,435 --> 00:20:38,444 Speaker 2: a confirmed Atlanticist. He loves Europe. He speaks, I think 384 00:20:38,454 --> 00:20:43,544 Speaker 2: five separate languages, all of them. Uh European, he himself 385 00:20:43,555 --> 00:20:45,885 Speaker 2: is going to have to engage in something of a 386 00:20:45,895 --> 00:20:50,584 Speaker 2: pivot towards the Asia Pacific region. So whatever happens, whichever 387 00:20:50,594 --> 00:20:53,864 Speaker 2: party now wins the November election, which of course is 388 00:20:53,875 --> 00:20:55,454 Speaker 2: suddenly looking much more 389 00:20:55,709 --> 00:20:57,930 Speaker 2: competitive than it was just a few weeks ago after 390 00:20:57,939 --> 00:21:01,839 Speaker 2: Joe Biden decided to abandon his re-election quest, there are 391 00:21:01,849 --> 00:21:04,579 Speaker 2: potentially going to be some shifts and some changes ahead. 392 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:09,030 Speaker 1: Well, Theresa, if you allow me, let's read this episode 393 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,869 Speaker 1: a little bit differently, what were the main things that 394 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:15,829 Speaker 1: you took away from your one on one with the 395 00:21:15,839 --> 00:21:19,270 Speaker 1: US Secretary of State? Like we said earlier, Mr Lincoln 396 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,829 Speaker 1: is a career diplomat. He knows what to say, he 397 00:21:21,839 --> 00:21:22,719 Speaker 1: knows how to say it 398 00:21:23,069 --> 00:21:25,469 Speaker 1: and I knew I wasn't going to get any spicy 399 00:21:25,479 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: clips from this guy. He held on to his core 400 00:21:27,930 --> 00:21:29,890 Speaker 1: talking points and he stuck to them but he did 401 00:21:29,900 --> 00:21:33,060 Speaker 1: make that comment about if the US is not engaged, 402 00:21:33,069 --> 00:21:36,050 Speaker 1: not leading in this region, someone else will. And to 403 00:21:36,060 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: me that reflected the American mindset. And I wanted to 404 00:21:39,050 --> 00:21:41,089 Speaker 1: ask him about that, you know, how some in this 405 00:21:41,099 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 1: part of the world have criticized that mantra of a 406 00:21:43,890 --> 00:21:46,569 Speaker 1: free and open Indo Pacific and how it's actually code 407 00:21:46,579 --> 00:21:50,089 Speaker 1: for an American aligned Indo Pacific. But we didn't get 408 00:21:50,099 --> 00:21:51,329 Speaker 1: a chance to talk about that. 409 00:21:51,530 --> 00:21:54,349 Speaker 1: Besides the issues though, I want to point out this 410 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,170 Speaker 1: interview required a lot of people. You guys know how 411 00:21:57,180 --> 00:21:59,540 Speaker 1: many people are involved, right? I was speaking to one 412 00:21:59,550 --> 00:22:02,599 Speaker 1: of the secretary staff members and she told me she 413 00:22:02,609 --> 00:22:06,159 Speaker 1: goes to every country. Mr Blinken will travel to about 414 00:22:06,170 --> 00:22:09,170 Speaker 1: 10 days in advance and then she and her team 415 00:22:09,180 --> 00:22:13,510 Speaker 1: go and rei they scope out locations, potential security issues. 416 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:16,780 Speaker 1: Then a week later she travels back there with the secretary. 417 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,089 Speaker 1: Isn't that crazy? I was like, oh my gosh, that 418 00:22:19,099 --> 00:22:20,389 Speaker 1: is a lot of traveling to do 419 00:22:20,699 --> 00:22:23,500 Speaker 1: and you can't see it. But standing behind Mr Blinken 420 00:22:23,510 --> 00:22:25,390 Speaker 1: in my line of sight were more than a half 421 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:29,649 Speaker 1: a dozen people, part of his entourage, bodyguards, secret service agents, 422 00:22:29,660 --> 00:22:32,540 Speaker 1: other staff. And before he came into the room where 423 00:22:32,550 --> 00:22:36,030 Speaker 1: we were having our interview, two secret service agents 424 00:22:36,339 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 1: came into the doorway, they looked me up and down, 425 00:22:39,010 --> 00:22:41,400 Speaker 1: they scanned the room and they wanted to make sure 426 00:22:41,410 --> 00:22:44,250 Speaker 1: everything was secure and finally I have to give a 427 00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:47,319 Speaker 1: quick shout out to our crew, Osmund Joseph and Niaz, 428 00:22:47,329 --> 00:22:49,959 Speaker 1: they were so on the ball, got their hours early 429 00:22:49,969 --> 00:22:52,479 Speaker 1: to make sure the shot was perfect. And you know, 430 00:22:52,489 --> 00:22:55,050 Speaker 1: these interviews can be kind of stressful. You have a 431 00:22:55,060 --> 00:22:58,000 Speaker 1: big interview that your bosses are going to watch your parents, 432 00:22:58,010 --> 00:22:58,719 Speaker 1: the public 433 00:22:58,989 --> 00:23:01,219 Speaker 1: and the crew kept things very light and fun as 434 00:23:01,229 --> 00:23:03,329 Speaker 1: we waited. It was, it was such a great experience 435 00:23:03,660 --> 00:23:05,708 Speaker 1: and you need to be able to have a crew 436 00:23:05,719 --> 00:23:08,969 Speaker 1: that can boldly say sorry minister, you're gonna have to 437 00:23:08,979 --> 00:23:11,790 Speaker 1: move a little bit because the plant behind the background 438 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:13,630 Speaker 1: is peeking out of your head or a sound man 439 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:15,359 Speaker 1: to say stop. I'm so sorry. You may have to 440 00:23:15,369 --> 00:23:17,629 Speaker 1: redo that because there was a passing plane and the 441 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,170 Speaker 1: quality will be affected. So you need all these people 442 00:23:20,180 --> 00:23:22,489 Speaker 1: to watch your back as well to ensure that the 443 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:23,069 Speaker 1: interview goes. 444 00:23:23,079 --> 00:23:25,488 Speaker 2: Well, you know, some time ago, I did an interview 445 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:28,530 Speaker 2: with a top fashion designer in New York City 446 00:23:28,890 --> 00:23:31,910 Speaker 2: and we got there hours early and we set everything 447 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,680 Speaker 2: up big name in the fashion industry. I will not 448 00:23:34,689 --> 00:23:39,109 Speaker 2: name the designer in question and uh the designer in 449 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:42,469 Speaker 2: question arrives and he sits down in the chair and 450 00:23:42,479 --> 00:23:46,400 Speaker 2: we'd been there for hours. Perfect lighting, perfect shot. And 451 00:23:46,410 --> 00:23:48,739 Speaker 2: he says, uh that's the wrong side for me. We 452 00:23:48,750 --> 00:23:51,729 Speaker 2: need to change everything I prefer being filmed from the 453 00:23:51,739 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 2: other side. So we had to change everything in about 454 00:23:54,369 --> 00:23:54,619 Speaker 2: 10 minutes. 455 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:58,859 Speaker 1: Wow, you can always plan but things will come up. 456 00:23:58,869 --> 00:24:03,099 Speaker 1: That's just this business. Absolutely. That was fun. Simon Wyke. 457 00:24:03,319 --> 00:24:05,339 Speaker 1: Thank you both so much for joining me today. Always 458 00:24:05,349 --> 00:24:08,479 Speaker 1: a good time with you guys. Thank you. Cheers and 459 00:24:08,489 --> 00:24:11,079 Speaker 1: a reminder again that that interview with the US Secretary 460 00:24:11,089 --> 00:24:14,379 Speaker 1: of State Lives on youtube, go take a look and TV. 461 00:24:14,390 --> 00:24:17,780 Speaker 1: Episodes of the CN A correspondent program air every Wednesday 462 00:24:17,790 --> 00:24:20,339 Speaker 1: at 9:30 p.m. Singapore Hong Kong time and find the 463 00:24:20,349 --> 00:24:22,719 Speaker 1: latest on CN A dot Asia as well. 464 00:24:23,060 --> 00:24:26,310 Speaker 1: The team behind this week's episode is Sa N Clara 465 00:24:26,319 --> 00:24:30,290 Speaker 1: Ong Kristina Robert, Craig Dale and myself, Teresa Tang. Thanks 466 00:24:30,300 --> 00:24:32,968 Speaker 1: for joining us, Secretary Lincoln. Thank you very much for 467 00:24:32,979 --> 00:24:35,020 Speaker 1: your time. Thank you for speaking to CN A great 468 00:24:35,030 --> 00:24:37,189 Speaker 1: to be with you. Thank you. Thanks.