Monday, 03 August 2009 15:02 Chrann Chamroeun

03/08/2009
By People's Daily Online

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on behalf of the US government, signed the Treaty of Southeast Asian Amity and Cooperation while attending the ASEAN Summit this year in Thailand. The signing of the treaty was regarded as a precondition for the US to join the East Asia Summit (EAS), a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest. Additionally, the US also put forward the idea of developing the Mekong River Basin, hoping to join the regional economic cooperation in East Asia.

Clinton held talks with foreign ministers of Mekong nations such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam on issues such as cooperation in the fields of environment, health and education, as well as the establishment of a partnership between Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Mississippi River Commission (MRC).

The two measures taken so far show that US policy towards East Asia integration has changed from previous wait-and-see manner to active participation, setting up a regional cooperation mechanism based on bilateral ties. During the Bush administration, US signed bilateral free trade agreements with Australia, Singapore and ROK, and hoped to sign similar trade deals with Thailand and Malaysia. But the US, concerned with its influence that might be weakened by "Pan Asia" cooperation mechanism, held reservation on full participation into East Asia integration. Apart from APEC, the US has not set up any regional free trade zones, neither did it take part "Pan-Asia mechanisms" such as "ASEAN + 1", "ASEAN + 3" and EAS.

Changes occurred in Obama administration's East Asia policy as a "Pan-Asia" cooperation mechanism sprang up vigorously.

First, the US pays closer attention to and doubles its investment in Southeast Asia. With a total population of 600 million, Southeast Asia is home to world's largest Muslim country Indonesia and US allies the Philippines and Thailand.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asia, in control of many global key junctions, is the sixth largest export market to the US. Southeast Asia plays a vital role in improving relations between the US and the Islamic world, safeguarding US economic and security interests. However, the Bush administration did not fully realize its importance and ex-secretary of state Rice missed the ASEAN Forum and US ASEAN Summit, which drew criticism from Southeast Asian countries. Clinton's first visit as the US' highest diplomat to East Asia this February aimed to boost the strategic relationship with Southeast Asian countries.

Second, the US put more emphasis on development. The Obama administration regarded development, diplomacy and national defense as three pillars of his foreign policies. More attention lain on development could help better cope with non-traditional security challenges.

Third, the US stresses "public diplomacy" and non-governmental exchanges to change US’ image within the international community. The Obama administration dropped pretentious airs, listened to the voice of Southeast Asian countries and facilitated non-governmental exchanges. During her two trips to East Asia, Clinton carried out exchanges with college students, non-governmental organizations and women's associations, in hope of changing the US’ image among the grass roots.

US' involvement in East Asia integration will impact upon the policy alternatives in the region, and meanwhile, spark debate of competition among big countries. Taking Mekong River Basin as an example, Japan held a foreign ministers meeting with five Mekong nations in January 2008. The meeting decided to set up an economic corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and invite 10,000 Japanese youths to visit over five years.