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