ASEAN has made it clear it would establish a common market by 2015. It is the organization's top priority to work out a way to boost construction of this market with the help of China-Japan-ROK cooperation. It must answer question such as how to improve the infrastructure construction in ASEAN member countries with the China-Japan-ROK strength. How can these nations coordinate and consolidate the customs and transportation regulations in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and bring regional trade to the next stage?
At present, ASEAN needs to enhance further integration in terms of politics, economy and diplomacy, and clear the barriers in the integration process. It is unrealistic to hope for strengthening internal integration and raising ASEAN's voice in the international arena by making use of the fact that the South China Sea issue has become more and more international. Such a move can only fuel the argument further and even jeopardize the original goal of the ASEAN market. An article carried on The Jakarta Global recently said that such a row could damage the interests of all the countries in the region.
The current status of ASEAN is closely associated with its rapid economic development over the past two years. It also becomes more and more attractive as its global market share increases. ASEAN member countries should realize that this is what the real intention of the United States in returning to the Asia-Pacific region: following economic interests. The United States will make use of the historic equilibrium to seek self interest. But in the final analysis, the development of U.S.-ASEAN ties will rely on input rather than output.
