Creating an East Asian Community

V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

It is only fitting that Russia should be elevated from a dialogue to a full partner of ASEAN, since Moscow has been a participant for the past nine years. Its elevation will be another boost to the regional grouping.

Since Moscow is already a dialogue partner, it is more logical that it be included as a member of the East Asian Summit, where it can play a more meaningful role.

Together with China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 ASEAN members, the grouping will have more economic clout as it represents nearly three billion people or half the world's population.

If they can act in concert, they can be a powerful force that the rest of the world will have to sit up and take notice of. They will have a sizeable market for their products.

Trade, investment and tourism will be given a boost, and with proper planning and cooperation, their economies should benefit from this emerging alliance.

There will be unlimited opportunities for economic cooperation and it is proof that the world political and ideological landscape has changed for the better. In the EAS, we have the capitalist and socialist worlds sitting down and talking to each other.

Few would have thought this a possibility, and that democratic and communist governments could work together towards a common objective of making the world a safer and more prosperous place for both their citizens and those outside the region.

Some may wish to play up the discord among the members and based on this perception will feel that the grouping is unlikely to be an effective organization.

Australia, a new partner, was admitted because it finally decided to sign the treaty of amity and cooperation.

It had initially refrained from doing so for fear that this would compromise its military cooperation with its Western partners.

However, ASEAN and EAS were too important for Canberra to be left out. The grouping also is against the threat of terror attacks, an important issue with Canberra, and is prepared to work together to wipe out this menace.

ASEAN governments, in particular, have co-operated closely in the fight against any militant group out to create fear and destruction in the region and elsewhere.

The signing of the treaty is important as those who wish to be a member of the ASEAN-led EAS must show that it is coming in as a friend without any hostile intention against any other partner.