ASEAN+3: C/community building in East Asia?

Abstract

This article analyses the impact ASEANs expansion to include the+3 countries of China, Japan and South Korea. By placing post-97 developments in a chronological and sectoral matrix, this article attempts to evaluate ASEANs recent efforts at region-building. It is argued that the expansion of ASEANs Informal membership coupled with a higher level of policy convergence by ASEAN member countries at the regional and sub-regional levels is leading towards the development of an East Asian bloc. The choice now confronting these countries is whether to institutionalize the current arrangements or to allow the present, looser formation to continue.