The inauguration of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Bangkok in 1996 was celebrated with enthusiasm and hopes in the two regions because this forum represented a breakthrough in Asia-Europe relations. The region-to-region pattern of the relations becomes the study framework that enables the explorations of central themes which include the Asian regional identity, ASEAN collective diplomatic prominence, and the informality of the ASEM institution. In exploring those central themes, this book applies constructivist, realist, and neo-liberal institutional theories consecutively. The difference between Asian and European cooperative culture, as well as the longevity of an international institution, adds to the picture. This book contributes not only to the study of Asia-Europe relations but also to the understanding of regionalism in Asia.

The inauguration of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Bangkok in 1996 was celebrated with enthusiasm and hopes in the two regions because this forum represented a breakthrough in Asia-Europe relations. The region-to-region pattern of the relations becomes the study framework that enables the explorations of central themes which include the Asian regional identity, ASEAN collective diplomatic prominence, and the informality of the ASEM institution. In exploring those central themes, this boo ...

This book provides a systematic and thorough examination of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process which brings together the fifteen EU member states, the European Commission and ten East and Southeast Asian countries. The author not only traces the actual development of the ASEM process, but also contextualises ASEM within three different international relations theoretical frameworks, as viewed by realists, social constructivists and institutionalists.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), officially established in 1996, is an inter-regional forum consisting of the 15 member states of the European Union and the European Commission, 7 member of the 10 states of ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea. In this important volume academics from Asia and Europe examine the level of engagement between both continents and highlight how the ASEM process has been conducive in enhancing the political, economic and cultural ties between the various Asian and European countries. They address questions such as: how does the euro fit in the developing East Asian monetary cooperation; how does ASEM influence the process of East Asian identity building and what is the ASEM factor in the formulation of the new foreign policy of China? ASEM is wrongly a little known process because it plays a key role in formulating the emerging multilateralist world order of the 21st century.

As Asia has become more prominent on the international scene in recent decades—economically, politically, and culturally—the scholarly discipline of Asian studies has grown commensurately. But major questions remain about the scope of the discipline and its goals. What about Asia? both surveys the current state of the debate on Asian studies and suggests several fruitful directions for future exploration, especially through the use of multiregional and interdisciplinary approaches.

This book gives a critical assessment of the ASEM process, which now brings together all 27 EU members, the European Commission and 16 East Asian states, and examines its progress in terms of economic and social development, politics and culture.