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The East Asia Community and the Role of External Powers: Ensuring Asian Multilateralism is not Shanghaied

2007; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 19; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/10163270709464148

1941-4641

Mohan Malik,

Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography

Abstract This article begins by outlining the similarities and differences between the European Union (EU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the East Asia Community (EAC) to understand the historical and political context of regional integration in three different regions. It then examines the interests, roles and concerns of three major external powers (the United States, the European Union and Russia) that have vital stakes in the future evolution of Asian multilateralism. This study argues that it is not in the interests of any of these three external powers to see one or more countries in Asia dominating the EAC or covertly working to transform regional organizations into alliances or collective security pacts, as that would not only undermine regional stability but also give a bad name to multilateralism. Of the three external powers, the United States—by virtue of its power and presence—is the most important external power and the state of its relations with regional heavyweights would inevitably influence the EAC-building process. All three external powers share a vested interest in ensuring that Asian multilateralism is not shanghaied. The future of the EAC-building, in the ultimate analysis, will be determined by several key issues, including the role of external powers, membership criteria, ASEAN's will and capacity to remain in “the driver's seat,” the EAC's distinctive character, utility and relationship with other existing multilateral forums (such as APEC, ARF—and last but not least, the state of China's relations with the United States, Japan and India, which would make or mar progress toward EAC-building.