The future of Asia Pacific will be shaped by how three of the world's major economies will interact over the next 20 years, said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the Nikkei Conference held in Tokyo.

Lee said there will only be two possible scenarios that will happen in the region in the next two decades, depending on how the three countries cooperate or dispute each other.

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If China, the US and Japan will cooperate and interact in a peaceful manner, Asia will become one of the major regions of the world. Otherwise, if the disputes and protectionism will continue to occur in the next 20 years, Asia will be transformed into a fractious region.

In 2034, Lee said the United States will remain the world's superpower and Japan will still be one of the largest economies of the world, with advancements in science and technology.

"The biggest change for Asia in the next 20 years, however, will be the growth of China's power and influence", Lee said.

Citing the three developments foreseen in the next two decades, Lee said China, the US and Japan must interact peacefully and cooperatively in order for Asia to reap the benefits of stability and peace.

"Should the US and China strengthen their relationship and the economy of Japan recovers its confidence, Asia will surely reap the benefits," said Lee, adding that standards of living for everyone in the region will be raised.

However, Lee warns that if the maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas will continue in the next two decades, Asia will become a battleground of friction between the world's superpowers.

With the scenario, countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) will be forced to choose sides - the US or China - which will inevitably set back economic growth and integration, the Singaporean official said.

TagsSingapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, US-China Relationship, US, Asia integration