Competing Frameworks for Asian Regional Cooperation and Options for Chinese Strategy

　　Abstract: While the potential benefits of cooperation in the Asia Region are thought to be great, for various reasons, no substantial progress has been realized despite many years having passed since the beginning of the PostWar period. Following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, ASEAN has been at the center of Asian cooperation, which has progressed through the “10-plus” frameworks. Two competing frameworks have emerged: a “10+3” framework and a “10+6” framework. Taking into consideration the interests of all relevant parties to cooperation within Asia, this article finds that competition between these frameworks include a conflict between Asian and nonAsian interests, and a conflict between China and Japan over the ability to direct regional cooperation. At the same time, ASEAN’s focus on its own status has played into this competition. Combining these considerations with an analysis of China’s interests vis-à-vis regional cooperation, this article puts forth an initial proposal for a future Chinese strategy for the promotion of regional cooperation. 

　　Author: Wang Yuzhu is an Associate Research Professor in the Institute for AsiaPacific Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences