ASEAN shifts its weight toward East Asia

ASEAN shifts its weight toward East Asia

By Kavi Chongkittavorn

BANGKOK: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is shifting its external relations, which have been traditionally focused on Western countries, towards the Asian region. This new direction reflects the grouping's desire to strengthen its Asian roots through economic and security cooperation with China, Japan and the two Koreas.

The ASEAN ministerial meeting, which begins today, is no longer confined to ASEAN countries as in the past. It is billed as the first official meeting of the East Asian Community. The can-do rhetoric that is expected to emerge throughout the next few days, to be wrapped up in the joint communique, will testify to this new confidence and a new East Asia.

It is not surprising then that the ASEAN leaders are quick to point out that the coming together of East Asia is not a threat to anyone but rather an effort to help one another. The economic crisis over the past three years has brought not only the East Asian economies much closer but also their leaders. Apparently, in the process, they have become more assertive and outspoken.

Three related economic and political developments have propelled the new East Asian sensibility.

First, the success of the inter-Korean summit in June has brought the prospect of peace and stability in the region within grasp. Since the end of World War II the Asia-Pacific region has been under a cloud of conflict and tension.

The North-South reconciliation will lessen the tension and enable the divided Asian region to take a common approach and think collectively.

North Korea's decision to join the regionwide security body, the ASEAN Regional Forum, was a blessing after a six-year delay. Since the first ARF meeting in 1994 the volatile Korean peninsula has always been the single issue that the ARF leaders expressed the most concern about, most of the time feeling a sense of hopelessness because of Pyongyang's absence and intransigence.

Second, Japan is showing an increased willingness to speak and act on behalf of developing countries, especially ASEAN. This sentiment is significant as it will improve Japan's recalcitrant image in the eyes of broader Asia.

Tokyo has already provided generous assistance to aid the region's economic recovery and long-term human-resource development programs. At the Bangkok meeting, Japan will pledge to further help developing countries to improve their information technology and bridge the "digital divide".

Along with Japan, South Korea under President Kim Dae-jung has succeeded in pushing for a common East Asian identity. Credit is due for his no-nonsense advocacy for this new regionalism.

Finally, China has emerged as a key player which is more committed to the common good of the region. Beijing has kept the value of the yuan stable, very much to the satisfaction of ASEAN countries, especially Thailand and Indonesia. As a result, China's influence in the Asian scheme of things has improved.

It is interesting to note that China has become more proactive and assertive in regional affairs. After years of being viewed with suspicion over disputed South China Sea claims, Beijing has skillfully managed and contained ASEAN's concerns over the disputed maritime territories.

It will surprise no one if eventually China agrees to support the regional code of conduct with some amendments. Such a support will immediately alleviate China's strategic position within the region.

Furthermore, it will serve as a catalyst to broaden Beijing's influence in the region as never before. China plans to attack the US missile-shield plan for Northeast Asia at the ARF later this week. Levels of rhetoric will indicate Beijing's newly found confidence within the ARF framework and regional embrace. It is the first time that Beijing has made known its position ahead of the regionwide security meeting.

But there is one caveat. While many Asian countries welcome China's high profile and a proactive Japan, they still view the United States role as crucial to provide an anchor for stability.

Questions have been asked about whether China will become a responsible regional and global player. If so, within the ASEAN context, is China willing to do more than be an observer? Will China become an active participant in regional affairs, including helping to resolve outstanding disputes and transnational issues,including the proliferation of drugs in the region?

This new orientation has already found support from the ASEAN foreign ministers, who are expected to approve recommendations by the ASEAN directors-general that the group's ties with new dialog partners be placed under a moratorium.

For the time being, relations with potential dialog partners and international organizations will be handled through a third- country committee, comprising ASEAN envoys. Dialog partners used to be the traditional source of development and technical funds, which are harder to get.

Shift towards Asian powers expects to strengthen the ASEAN position.

Furthermore, there is a delinking process between dialog - partner status and ARF membership. In the past the former was the prerequisite for the latter. When Russia, China and India became full dialog partners, they automatically became ARF members. However, when Mongolia joined ARF last year, it was not a dialog partner. The delinking will allow a certain degree of flexibility for possible ARF enlargement in the future.

-- The Nation/Asia News Network