| Publication |
2011.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Certain developments are emerging in East Asia that could accentuate the divisions
among ASEAN members over East Asian regionalism. One is the trend toward
financial and trade cooperation between ASEAN and Northeast Asian countries
that will make it difficult for ASEAN to resist East Asian regionalism. Another is
the growing global economic importance of East Asia that can reduce ASEAN's
centrality in this regionalism. These divisions are most pronounced between
Malaysia and Indonesia. While Malaysia wants the regional grouping to be a
community, Indonesia sees it as basically functional in purpose. Malaysia, unlike
Indonesia, sees some economic, especially financial, benefit from the regional
grouping. China is not seen by Malaysia as a threat to the region and can best be
accommodated in Malaysia's preferred grouping, the ASEAN Plus Three, while
Indonesia favors the East Asia Summit where India can help balance China.
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