3 - Policies, Mechanisms, and Institutions Affecting ASEAN-China Economic Relations

Summary

I. Introduction

There are two main sections in this study. The first reviews the strategic policy dimension and posture of ASEAN members in their external economic relations and their implications for ASEAN-China economic relations. The second examines the policy instruments and institutional mechanisms of individual ASEAN countries which have evolved in response to the economic opening up of China and in the context of its new economic relationship with ASEAN countries.

It is inaccurate to suggest that there is a collective ASEAN posture with regard to external economic relations with China. To date there are no official ASEAN-wide policies and institutional mechanisms which constitute the official conduits for economic relations between ASEAN as a group on the one hand and China on the other. All existing economic relationships, particularly at the governmental level, are conducted at the national level on a bilateral plane.

There are, however, some ASEAN private sector initiatives to approach China collectively. The approach is nascent and at the brainstorming stage. In particular, the G-14 for ASEAN Economic Co-operation and Integration, initiated by ASEAN-Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has suggested collective ASEAN initiatives with socialist economies which include China. But, for its rhetoric and numerous recommendations, the question of the China-ASEAN economic relations was deliberately made a low priority and conspicuously kept at a low profile.

However, with respect to its external economic relationships with other countries, ASEAN has developed various institutional mechanisms and broad pro-active policies collectively to have dialogues with major countries (particularly the United States, Japan, and EEC members) and to have a common stand on certain global economic issues (particularly in trade and protectionism). There are definitely areas of commonality and shared interests in regional and global economic issues, and it is in these that one can identify a common, if not collective, policy position. In spite of this, we must recognize that there are substantial differences in views and postures among the ASEAN countries on various global economic matters. The following section will highlight some of these collective ASEAN policy positions.