Regionalism Of The New Era: A Community Of Shared Future Between China And Southeast Asia – OpEd
Nationalism, regionalism and globalism are three paramount forces in contemporary international relations. But regionalism has experienced tremendous resurgence with the formation of old and new regionalism.
Old regionalism started in Europe after the Second World War with the creation of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the forerunner of European Economic Community (EEC) that has evolved into the present-day European Union (EU). During the cold war, European regionalism inspired previously-colonized states in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and beyond to also form their own regional groupings for purposes of economic cooperation and even integration while protecting their political freedom and national sovereignty. Arguably, the most successful regional organization outside of Europe is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which at present is at the driver’s seat of many regional efforts in the Asia Pacific and even Indian Ocean regions.
Old regionalism of the cold war was based on Western model exported to other regions of the world. There was a thought during that time that mimicking European style of regionalism was the best model for other regions to promote world peace and achieve regional prosperity. Old regionalism of Europe emphasized economic integration through free trade leading to social, cultural, political and even security integration by upholding Western values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. While old regionalism may have worked in Europe, it became problematic when practiced in other regions.
Thus, a new type of regionalism emerged in Asia after the end of the cold war. Compared with the old regionalism of Europe, which is restrictive and exclusive, the new regionalism of Asia is more open and inclusive leading to the creation of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other similar regional undertakings.
While the old regionalism of Europe is driven by the interests of major powers seeking peace and prosperity through economic integration and political homogenization, the new regionalism of Asia is driven by the interests of developing states seeking peace and prosperity through development cooperation, political coordination, mutual respects, common benefits, peaceful coexistence and decolonization. The new regionalism of Asia attracted the attention of old regionalism in Europe leading to current process of inter-regionalism.
But another regionalism has developed in the 21st century championed by China with the Global South. I call this as the “Regionalism of the New Era” or the RNE.
Like the new regionalism of Asia, the RNE provides an alternative to the old regionalism of Europe. But the RNE embraces the many ideas of the new regionalism of the developing world and learns lessons from the old regionalism of developed countries, especially in Europe. The RNE is the regionalism of the Global South and emerging economies with China as the main driving force.
The creation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the first indication of the rise the RNE. The BRI upholds a model of regionalism that connects Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime trade regardless of economic status, level of political development, socio-cultural make-up and religious preferences. The BRI is an open and inclusive mega-region that aims to promote sustainable economic development through inter-regional connectivity with states initially in Asia, Africa and Europe and now encompassing Latin America and the Pacific regions. The BRI originally represents around 75 percent of the global population covering initially 60 countries during its infancy but now covering more than 150 countries and international organizations.
As such, the BRI has become the RNE of the Global South. The World Bank reports that by 2030, the BRI will create a yearly growth of US$1.6 trilllion to the world’ s economy. But other estimates say that the BRI can boost world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by more than $US7 trillion annually by 2040. Whatever the estimates are, the BRI aims to develop regional infrastructures, enhance regional economic activities, raise peoples’ income, and contribute to the reduction of global poverty. The BRI is being bankrolled by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) now headquartered in Beijing.
Another strong indication of the rise of RNE is the establishment of the BRICS originally founded by emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa representing 30 percent of the world’s land area, 45 percent of the global population and more than 30 percent of global GDP. BRICS has expanded to other emerging economies of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Many countries from the Global South like Algeria, Bolivia, Cuba, Turkiye Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and others have applied for BRICS membership because of its huge potential to bring prosperity to its members and raise the quality of life of their peoples. BRICS has the New Development Bank (NDB) in Shanghai.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is also an indication of the RNE. In terms of geography and demography, the SCO is one of the world’s largest regional groupings of states representing 42 percent of the world population and 24 percent of the global land area. Compared with BRICS and the BRI, the SCO has a strong security agenda while pursuing economic cooperation. From original members of five composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the SCO has extended to five other permanent members to include Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Other countries from Central Asia, Eurasia and South Asia have applied for accession to the SCO.
Since the RNE is the regionalism of the Global South and the emerging economies, China has enunciated another idea that reinforces this type of regionalism to the international society by building a community of shared future for mankind. The goal of building a community of shared future is upholding the fundamental tenet of RNE by establishing an open and inclusive community of the peoples of the world through common development and shared prosperity; common, cooperative and sustainable security; and, harmony of all civilizations. China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) are China’s three global initiatives that support the RNE and even the United Nation’s campaign for a Better World, which is consistent with China’s vision of a community of shared future for mankind.
Comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Southeast Asian countries is the cornerstone of the RNE. The success of China-Southeast Asia regional cooperation is important to inspire success in other regions in the Global South.
In fact. existing evidences show that deeper economic integration between China and Southeast Asian countries can fuel Asian growth that is essential for global economic development. Even the New York-based Mckinsey Global Institute admits that a regionalized Asia through greater China-Southeast Asia integration serves at the hub of the global trade. Asia now accounts around 60 percent of world’s trade growth fueled by stronger China-Southeast Asia economic relations.
It is therefore imperative for China and Southeast Asia to enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership to sustain its positive contribution to global economic development. A community of shared future between China and Southeast Asia is vital for the building of a community of shared future for all mankind.
The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involving China, ASEAN countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand can accelerate Asian growth for global prosperity and peace. The RCEP is another expression of the RNE involving China, Southeast Asia and other members towards a community of shared future.
- Remarks delivered at the 7th Global Center for Mekong Studies (GCMS) Think Tank Forum and the 15th Xi’nan Forum held in Kunming, Yunnan China on 24 October 2024.
