China's External Relations and Their Economic Impact CHINA-ASEAN RELATIONS : Perspectives, prospects and implication for northeast Asia interests

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China's External Relations and Their Economic Impact

CHINA-ASEAN RELATIONS Perspectives, prospects and implication for northeast asia interests

Introduction

ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that fosters cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and the three Asian giants - China, Japan and South Korea.

The ASEAN +3 proposal has generated buzz and support around Asia. This is because the creation of ASEAN +3 would enable free trade among member-nations due to its preferential trade agreements (PTA). It benefits all member countries due to three important factors (i) it promotes vertical foreign direct investment linkage between Japan/Korea and ASEANmember countries, (ii) the markedly high expected growth rate of the Chinese economy, and (iii) the economic diversity among members of ASEAN +3 group.

First, foreign direct investment (FDI) link between Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) and Northeast Asian countries (Japan and Korea) would be helped effectively by the ASEAN+3 proposal.

The FTA would also help the flow of FDI from the Northeast to the Southeast.

Second, China's growing economy could compete head to head with ASEAN countries but not in every sector. Complementary areas can be encouraged. The FTA will ensure that there will be no tension between China and the ASEAN member-nations. Trade creation due to the FTA should offset any loss ASEAN countries incur.

Third, there is a marked diversity among the ASEAN+3 countries in terms of natural resources, technological advancement and industrial structures. The ASEAN+3 would minimize the trade diversions.

The significance of ASEAN +3 is many countries are involved in various preferential trade agreements (PTA) or free trade agreements (FTA) but only a few PTAs or FTAs operate within Asia. The idea of establishing ASEAN +3 is to create a greater East Asia trade and economic grouping.

The main goal in creating ASEAN+3 is to help...