Publication

This commentary discusses the plan by Southeast Asian states to create the ASEAN Community (AC) by the end of 2015 as well as how the situation in the region has developed since the creation of ASEAN in the 1960s. In general, the author contends that the creation of the AC will lead to a new era of cooperation, economic connectivity and stability in the ASEAN region. However, he also notes that the members of the prospective AC may not have the capacity to fulfill the plans they have for regional integration in the Community. Finally, he discusses the implications which the continued rise of China could have for policymakers in ASEAN states in the future.