Text Box: BACKGROUND TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN ASIA

A DIVERSE REGION

 

HISTORY:

 

·         After WWII many of the Countries in Southeast Asia gained independence from colonial powers.  Much of the region was in upheaval for about 30 years.

 

·         1967 ASEAN (the Association for Southeast Asian Nations) was formed, but advocated a policy of non-interference in members’ affairs.

 

·         1989 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) formed that included many countries including the United States.

 

·         The region experienced unprecedented export led growth began by mostly private businessmen.  This helped create closer ties.

 

·         1997 the Asian Financial Crisis erupted and impoverished whole sectors of the economy.  The events that unfolded after created disillusionment with the United States and the West.  This  sparked a new increased interest to integrate to get on “equal footing with the West”

·         Since then, the region has taken several small, but concrete steps towards regional political, security, and economic ties.

 

KEY ISSUES IN ASIAN INTEGRATION:

  • Naval Security and accessibility of ports.  This issue has fostered a dialogue between some Asian nations and is a key part of integration.

 

  • The meetings of ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN countries and China South Korea, and Japan) discuss security issues such as shipping, refugees and narcotics.

 

  • Free Trade Agreements exist between a few countries like Singapore and Japan, but for now there isn’t an Asian Free Trade Zone.

 

  • Unequal distribution of wealth within countries and the region.  This has increased tensions towards integration.  Therefore, leaders will need popular support behind them to go forward with integration.  There will also need to be an emphasis on adequate gains for all countries.

 

  • Defining the region:  APEC takes a “Pacific Rim” approach that allows for inclusion of nations like the United States.  ASEAN has widened its scope to take in East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

 

  • Reform of rules when it comes to economic integration.  Emphasize uniformity and start addressing “sensitive sectors” like agriculture.

-Uniformity of product standards & mutual recognition agreements.

-Improvements to transportation and logistics   

 

  • Environmental sustainability & the “environmental Kuznets curve”.

 

  • Reform of air transport industry. 

 

  • Health issues & movement of people.

 

  • Combating terrorism.  APEC established a Counter Terrorism Task Force and ASEAN has created similar institutions, but all lack in the area of implementation.

 

  • The importance of China and Japan in integration.

 

ASIAN INTEGRATION IN COMPARISON WITH EUROPE:

  • Both believe that integration can contribute to greater security, stability, prosperity and elimination of conflict and war.
  • Both have a concern with the economic, political, social and even cultural elements which impact a country or region’s existence and security.
  • Asia lags behind Europe; integration has more layers to it and has some overlapping of regional and sub-regional cooperation.
  • Regionalism has been the strongest in the post-Cold War era.
  • Integration progression has been pushed by intellectuals (especially economists) and businessmen.
  • Economic issues have always been the center of attention and only recently have political issues been addressed in Asia.
  • Asia is much more culturally diverse and has been much more informal when taking on integration.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

 

1.                  Many people question integration in Asia and ask if it is even really going on.  Is this just a product of holding Asia to the standards of Europe?

2.                  Taking our knowledge of Africa and Europe is Asian integration destined to fail as some suggest?

3.                  What is the biggest barrier to integration in Asia?  What should be the top priority of ASEAN and APEC?