ASEAN and the Major Powers： New Ties of Transnational Integration

ASEAN, whose international prestige grew as a result of its diplomatic role in 1970s, can be seen as providing a model for linking the very disparate states of the Asia-Pacific region in a common association. The centrality of ASEAN to any attempt to build regional institutions was strengthened by clashes of interest between the major powers. In order to protect its own strategic interests, ASEAN has established mechanisms of economic and security cooperation with the EU and the United States since the end of Cold War. After September 11, the cooperation between ASEAN and the US has become much more extensive than before on both regional and global levels. Sino-EU-US triangular relationships have had a significant influence on ASEAN relations with these powers in the new century.

ASEAN and the Major Powers: New Ties of Transnational Integration