Author Description

The volume examines the evolving nature of China and ASEANs regional engagement in the political and strategic realms, reviewing a range of cooperative and competitive endeavours which reflect the inherent duality of the relationship. The first section, From ASEAN to ASEAN+3, concentrates on the regional integrative efforts currently being undertaken between the Southeast Asian and Northeast Asian states. Including a chapter from a key ASEAN policymaker, this section constructs the broad regional framework under which political and security cooperation now occurs. The second section, Sino-ASEAN Ties: Fear and Friendship, focuses on the strategic challenges facing both sides as they develop closer ties. Papers in this section consider the long-standing question as to whether or not Chinas development constitutes a threat to regional stability. The third section, The ASEAN Regional Forum, explores the institutional capacity for closer security cooperation, particularly with reference to the conflicting claims in the South China Sea. The final section, China-Vietnam Relations, uses the changing nature of a key bilateral relationship as a reflection of the possibilities in the broader regional order. It is hoped that the bilingual nature of this volume will enable scholars to engage with a wider set of research materials and analysis than is usually the case.