The Greater Importance of ASEAN in East Asian Affairs - Essay Example

East Asia past and Present Essay Why ASEAN has risen to greater importance in East Asian affairs in the post-Cold War period Introduction ASEAN has risen to greater importance in East Asian affairs in the in the post-Cold war period due to emergence of shared interests, values and perceptions that proper governments encourage economic prosperity and stability through cooperation of member nations in the region. Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a global economic and political force due to the formation of regional communities such as ASEAN (Borthwick 10). ASEAN was formed in 1967 Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia with the aim of ensuring regional security through economic development and internal consolidation. The membership has expanded to ten countries that include Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Brunei and Vietnam. East Asia had experienced decades of internal conflicts and economic depression, but the formation of ASEAN enabled sub-regional cooperation and trade liberalization (Borthwick 71). The main three pillars include economic growth and cooperation, social progress, and political-security. The model of security and stability in the region attained high success and ASEAN started playing a major security role in even beyond Southeast Asia. The security matters in Southeast Asian countries encompass various political, economic, social, cultural and military dimensions and ASEAN has utilized regional cooperation in order to further peaceful external environment and allow the member states to concentrate on their domestic development priorities (Borthwick 29). ASEAN was a focus of rivalry and competition between the US and Soviet Union, but ASEAN preferred regional solutions by declaring the region as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in 1995 (Holcombe 241). ASEAN rise to greater importance in East Asia affairs has been facilitated by the ASEAN Free Trade Area that aims at enhancing the competitive advantage of local manufacturing. The region has signed free trade agreements with China, Japan, Australia and India that aim boosting economic growth in the community. The free trade agreements have led to consistent growth in member states GDP by between 4 percent to 7 percent since the end of Cold War. The region has benefited from technology transfer and e-commerce evolution since member states like Malaysia and Singapore account for more than 50 percent of e-commerce transactions in the entire region (Borthwick 81). The economic community is committed to equitable economic development and integration with the global economy as demonstrated by the consistent reduction in import duties (Borthwick 112). ASEAN member states have shown commitment to regional cooperation based on non-confrontational methods and consensus building in order to respect the territorial integrity, national identities, sovereignty and independence of member states. ASEAN has renounced use of military force in settlement of disputes and advocates for extensive consultations that affect the interests of the entire ASEAN. ASEAN-led multilateral initiatives such as ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) have been lauded for leading to security outside Southeast Asia and broad diplomatic of nations within East Asian region (Holcombe 162). The involvement of US and China as important partners for Southeast countries has risen the importance of ASEAN in East Asia affairs. The US is involved in South China Sea border in which Southeast countries are also involved. ASEAN bilateral relationships with India, Japan and China are considered essential to the stability of Western Pacific Ocean and thus it is becoming more difficult to separate East Asia and South Asia in security matters (Holcombe 130). ASEAN has responded to China’s rise by encouraging India, Japan and US to remain actively involved in Southeast Asia and it has fostered strong ties with China. The possible conflict between great powers in East Asia will deteriorate the economic prospects of ASEAN thus ASEAN has a direct interest in moderating East Asia relations and remaining neutral (Holcombe 140). The ASEA member states have focused on informal management of conflicts and disputes such as the bilateral territorial disputes. The region focuses on conflict avoidance and prevention rather than using the international structures and institutions to settle territorial disputes. Non-interference and sovereignty equality forms the ‘ASEAN Way’ ideological basis for both internal and external relations that ensure weaker states are not marginalized and attain support from ASEAN members when faced with a threat of external meddling in the internal affairs of the nation (Borthwick 35). ASEAN influence in East Asia was strengthened by the financial crisis of 1990s that saw China provide financial assistance to several Southeast Asia countries. ASEAN countries experienced negative economic growth, high unemployment, high inflation and devaluation of currencies, but China provided Thailand and Indonesia with financial assistance with the backing of International Monetary Fund. ASEAN perceived China as a trusted partner and China proposed the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area that was signed in 2010 in order to enhance economic cooperation in East Asia (Holcombe 151). Another factor that has contributed to rise in ASEA greater importance is the steps that have been undertaken by the member states in order to implement good governance, respect rule of law and ensure democratic principles in constitutional government. ASEAN influence in East Asia was demonstrated by the criticism of political rights and press freedom abuses in Burma in 1990s and solving East Timor crisis in 1998. ASEAN agreed on a roadmap to democracy and reconciliation in Burma (Holcombe 234). Another reason that has contributed to the rise of ASEA to greater importance in East Asia affairs is the expansion of the community after Cold War to include Vietnam and Cambodia. The two member states were perceived as the centre of Cold War ideological confrontations between Soviet Union and U.S and thus their membership in to the community would ensure regional peace and stability through consensus building and cooperation (Holcombe 169). The successful resolution of Vietnam-Cambodia conflict and ease in tensions among ASEAN member states due to the end of threat of spread of communism enabled ASEAN to expand its stabilizing influence in the broader Asian continent. The resistance of Cambodia occupation and united stance for Vietnam withdrawal is clearly one of the prominent diplomatic successes of ASEAN. The community has gained importance due to the high mistrust of external superpowers and the original member states neutrality policy in geo-political issues and desire for more political independence (Borthwick 89). ASEA region is the 7th largest economy after US, China, Japan, UK, France and Germany and this has led to increased interest for bilateral economic partnerships with leading economies across the world. ASEA is the largest importer in the EU region. ASEAN active involvement in regional security issues and regional trade has countered growing influence of the US in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) (Holcombe 191). Conclusion ASEAN has risen to greater importance in East Asia affairs in the post-Cold War period due to emergence of shared values, interests and perceptions regarding the need of regional security. The membership has expended to ten and ASEAN has undertaken a measure role in ensuring the security of wider Southeast Asia. ASEAN has facilitated the formation of various free trade agreements in East Asia with the aim of boosting economic growth and cooperation. The ‘ASEAN Way’ of handling territorial disputes through non-confrontational methods and consensus building has been instrumental to the rise of ASEAN influence since it has eliminated the possibility of military confrontation between any member states. ASEAN initiated ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) that have led to more influence of ASEAN in wider Asian region. ASEAN combined economy is critical for China and EU and thus ASEAN has been instrumental in various bilateral agreements that foster free trade across the region. Accordingly, the handling of Vietnam-Cambodia conflict and East Timor crisis has risen the profile of ASEAN in regional diplomatic affairs. Works Cited: Borthwick, Mark. Pacific century: The emergence of Modern Pacific Asia (4th ed). New York: Westview Press, 2014. Holcombe, Charles. A history of East Asia: from the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Essay 2: Background, status and outlook regarding the problems North Korea poses for contemporary East Asia Introduction The geographical position of North Korea in East Asia region has influenced its historical and contemporary challenges that extend to the entire East Asia region. Although the US wanted the North to emergence as a liberal democracy that is independent and democratic after World War II, Russia strived to impose economic conditions advanced by the Soviet Union and advance it national interests through controlling North Korea (Holcombe 42). The US intended to revive Japan during the Cold War system and reintegrate the South in to Japanese sphere, but the North initiated the Korean War in order to attain more United Korea within the Socialist bloc. North Korea received support from Chinese People’s Volunteers and the war ended in great cost for North since about 15 percent of the population was killed by the heavy bombing (Holcombe 67). North Korea poses significant military, diplomatic, political and economic threats for the contemporary East Asia. The US and Soviet Union divided the Korean Peninsula in 1945 after the end of Second World War and two rival governments emerged in Pyongyang and Seoul. The problems posed by North Korea originated from the 1950-1953 Korean War that ended in a armistice agreement and creation of demilitarized buffer zone between the North and South Korea across the Peninsula (Holcombe 118). Since the end of Korean War, North Korea has emerged as the locus of tension and instability in East Asia due to the continuance of nuclear threats that originated in early 1990s and possible military confrontation with South Korea. North Korea alarming nuclear development programs and capabilities have led to security concerns and crisis in the entire East Asia region and the United Nations have applied various sanctions to North Korea for violating the UN nuclear ballistics treaty. The nation has carried out various successful nuclear tests since 2006 and has sunk South Korean warship using a torpedo (Borthwick 78). A major issue that concerns North Korea is the reunification of North and South since the two nations speak similar language and have common heritage. However, ideological differences and differing government political systems have created barriers for reunification. The two countries have isolated their population through cutting communication links between the private citizens on both sides. The North has a hostile political culture and the South has attained industrialized democracy status thus hindering any possible reunification (Borthwick 85). North Korea problem extends to Japan due to the existing colonial issues. North Korea has in the past committed mass abductions, forced labour, and torture against Japanese citizens and subsequent negotiations for release of abductees have strained the frosty relationships. The aggressive behaviours of the North has forced Japan to invest heavily in missile defense systems and previous diplomatic efforts such as the Six-Party agreements of 2008 has failed since North Korea refused to denounce its nuclear programs and integrate in to the regional economic cooperation. The aggressive behaviour of North Korea has forced Japan to tighten rules on North Korean ships that enter Japanese waters and has authorized possible unilateral economic sanctions (Holcombe 62). North Korea has violated the airspace integrity of Japan by launching a long-range missile over Japan’s airspace thus attracting condemnation from the International community. Although China has remained neutral to North Korea’s actions, China recently participated in a vote that led to new banking, trade and travel sanctions against North Korea. China has strengthened economic and military partnerships with the US and does not want to violate the US sanctions on North Korea, but has failed to stop the threats since it fears that possible collapse of North Korean regime will lead to unification and alliance with the US. North Korea confirmed withdrawal from 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement and cut off its communication link with the South and confirmed its aims of military retaliation against threats from South and US bases in South. Current new South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak has ended the traditional ‘sunshine’ policy of asking for more dialogue and negations during tensions (Borthwick 287). North Korea military threats have led to economic sabotage in entire East Asia. The country has warned tourists and foreign workers to evacuate from South Korea. The nation engages in contraband and illegal trade such as counterfeiting and extortions of sea vessels between Korean Peninsula and China thus disrupting free movement of goods in East Asia region (Holcombe 87). The stability of East Asia has further being complicated by China’s economic power and Beijing’s continued collaboration with South Korea and the US. North Korea has tried several gimmicks in reducing US military presence on the Peninsula including threats of nuclear strikes in US mainland. North Korea has continued to pursue independent foreign policy, military self-reliance and economic self-sufficiency ideologies despite the neighboring East Asia countries focus on more economic integration and trade pacts (Holcombe 180). However, the country has established cordial ties with socialist Southeast Asia allies such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. North Korea political regime is dictatorial and supports militarization of the society in readiness of confrontation with neighboring countries such as South Korea and China due to the US military assistance in East Asian countries. Kim II Sung abandoned communism theory is 1994 and started the ‘Army-First-Ism’ principle that extended his influence on political and military. The country is a monarchy that is ruled by Kim family dynasty and any political criticism is not tolerated (Holcombe 120). North Korea regime diverts the limited resources towards sustaining power governance and patronage. North Korea economy thrives on illegal sale of military technology and sustained development is unlikely since various countries have imposed sanctions on North Korea imports. UN economic sanctions have imposed embargoes on North Korean weapons research, luxury goods, cash transfers, and diplomatic restrictions while the US has blacklisted North Korean businesses that are suspected of illegal trade practices like narcotics and currency smuggling and have frozen North Korean property interests and imports to the US (Borthwick 296). North Korea is hyper-militarized and has an economic system that hinders foreign direct investments and free trade. The country has suffered various famines and institutional arrangements hinder humanitarian assistance. Although the international humanitarian agencies have tried to respond to the severe food shortages through emergency aids, the humanitarian community has faced resistance due to hostile domestic environment towards foreign agencies and aid, strict control of media and information and limitation of human freedoms and rights by the state (Holcombe 220). Conclusion North Korea has a socialist economic system that is unsustainable and thrives on illegal exports of military technologies. The society is highly militarized and poor governance has led to disregard to international law and corruption in the state-controlled economy. North Korea is the source of security tensions in East Asia since it has a large chemical weapon arsenal, nuclear weapons and world’s fourth largest Army. The country has violated international law by threatening to attack neighboring countries using its new nuclear arsenal. The North has existing border conflicts with the South and unresolved colonial issues with Japan. The North has experienced growing tensions with China. The presence of high US military in East Asia is justified due to the security threats that North Korea poses to Tokyo and Seoul and thus neighboring countries have no option but to install expensive missile defense systems that will protect their nation from North Korea’s possible missile attacks. The problems of North Korea can be addressed through ensuring market-oriented economic policies, encouragement of foreign direct investments, demobilization of the military and cooperation with South Korea in order to ease border tensions. Works Cited: Borthwick, Mark. Pacific century: The emergence of Modern Pacific Asia (4th ed). New York: Westview Press, 2014. Holcombe, Charles. A history of East Asia: from the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Read More