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

Abstract

This article begins by outlining the similarities and differences between theEuropean Union (EU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and theEast Asia Community (EAC) to understand the historical and political context ofregional integration in three different regions. It then examines the interests, rolesand concerns of three major external powers (the United States, the European Unionand 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 powersto see one or more countries in Asia dominating the EAC or covertly working totransform regional organizations into alliances or collective security pacts, as thatwould not only undermine regional stability but also give a bad name to multilateralism.Of the three external powers, the United Statesby virtue of its power and presenceis the most important external power and the state of its relations with regionalheavyweights would inevitably influence the EAC-building process. All threeexternal powers share a vested interest in ensuring that Asian multilateralism isnot shanghaied. The future of the EAC-building, in the ultimate analysis, will bedetermined by several key issues, including the role of external powers, membershipcriteria, ASEAN’s will and capacity to remain in “the driver’s seat,” the EAC’sdistinctive character, utility and relationship with other existing multilateral forums(such as APEC, ARFand last but not least, the state of China’s relations with theUnited States, Japan and India, which would make or mar progress toward EAC-building.The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis , Vol. XIX, No. 4, Winter 2007, pp. 2950.