Regional developments

Regional Developments in Southeast Asia

Emergence of ASEAN:

  • Founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

  • The aim was to: accelerate economic growth, promote regional stability and social progress, and cultivate mutual assistance among its members.

  • Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined subsequently increasing the influence of ASEAN within the region.

  • ASEAN’s approach is often termed as the ‘ASEAN Way’, focusing on consultation, consensus, and non-interference in intra-regional affairs.

Conflict and Cooperation:

  • The era saw several border disputes and strained relations among ASEAN members, e.g., the ‘Konfrontasi’ between Malaysia and Indonesia.

  • However, ASEAN also offered a space for reconciling disputes peacefully, thus fostering regional cooperation.

  • Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia (1978-1989) incited ASEAN’s unified stance against Vietnam, underscoring the importance of regional stability.

  • ASEAN nations also cooperated against common threats, such as communism during the Cold War.

Economic Development and Integration:

  • ASEAN members, known as the ‘Asian Tigers’ (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand), experienced notable economic growth in this era.

  • Industrialisation, coupled with liberal economic policies and foreign investments, propelled their economies.

  • To foster regional economic integration, ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) was initiated in 1992.

  • A significant achievement has been reducing the external tariffs among member countries, fostered by Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme.

Role of Superpowers and Non-Alignment:

  • The geopolitical influences of superpowers, primarily the USA and USSR, profoundly shaped Southeast Asian regional developments.

  • Due to its strategic location, Southeast Asia was a significant frontline during the Cold War period.

  • The non-aligned stance adopted by countries like Indonesia and Vietnam attempted to maintain autonomy from superpower spheres of influence.

  • The fall of Saigon (1975) marked the end of US direct involvement in Vietnam, altering regional power equations.

Modernisation and the Environment:

  • Rapid modernisation in Southeast Asia led to severe environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution, and depletion of natural resources.

  • The transboundary haze pollution crisis (1990s) due to large-scale forest fires in Indonesia is an instance of regional environmental issues.

  • Environmental concerns triggered regional cooperation in managing natural resources and promoting sustainable development.