Asian Century

Will the 21^st Century be an Asian Century? Why or why not?

            The 21^st Century will be an Asian Century because of the strategic power focus of the US shifting to Asia-Pacific, the rise of China, the dynamic development of the ASEAN countries, the Myanmar’s role in connecting the Southeast and the South Asia, and the role of ASEAN in the future development of Japan and South-Korea.

            Some years ago, the strategic power focus of the United States shifted to the Asian-Pacific region. The current super power of the world considered to vest his power in Asia for the national interest and security of their states. The involvement of the US created a big role of Asia region in International Relations. The US power focus is believed to be maintained in this region for coming decades. Therefore the strategic power focus of the US in the Asia-Pacific is an important reason of why the 21^st century will be an Asian Century.

            The second reason in my view is the rise of China. The economic development of China has being very amazing in recent decades and it motivated China to take back the historical role in the region. The claim of East-China and South-China Sea area alarms that he is the great power of Asia and the historical contributor states must follow his desire. China, currently, can dominate the other Asian states economically, and China does not need to take care of the markets outside Asia. The rising power of China leads to a rising Asia, and it is a reason of why the 21^st Century will be an Asian Century.

            When we talk about Asia, the role of ASEAN can’t be left. The key players of the association like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippine and Singapore can maintain their economic development. Moreover, the new comers like Vietnam and Myanmar can also be expected as the new dynamics of the ASEAN. The regional association is now establishing a community and it will start in 2015. The setting up of the ASEAN Community is believed to lead to the dynamic development of the region economically. Currently, ASEAN is shaping a regional identity and it will lead to the strength of the multi-cultural inter-states relations. Therefore, the dynamic development of ASEAN is also an important reason of why the 21^st century will be an Asian Century.

            In my opinion, there will be a big gap between Southeast and South Asian states unless Myanmar does not play as a bridge between these two sub-regions. Myanmar can overcome the suffering of military junta, and is now shaping a democratic nation. For the outside world, Myanmar is a new emerged exciting place for their investment. Economically developing and politically liberalizing Myanmar is believed to be a sole connection between the Southeast and South Asia. Myanmar plays a very important role for the communication of the people, the flow of goods, and for the strategic exit of the rising China to the India Ocean. Some decades ago, the Myanmar role in this region could not be expected very much but now the liberalization and democratization of Myanmar leads to the unity of the region. Therefore, the Myanmar role in connecting the sub-regions of Asia is also a reason of why the 21^st century will be an Asian Century.

            Here, the view of Japan and South-Korea should be taken into consideration. Japan, an island country is surrounded by historical enemies like China and South-Korea. Japan has nowhere to go but ASEAN. For Japan, ASEAN is a main transit for the energy import as well as a market for its exports. This situation paves the way to having a good relation with the ASEAN countries, and Japan spends lots of money to assist Asia-Pacific nations. Moreover, China, Japan and South-Korea need to take care of the ASEAN because it is the only platform they can communicate. For the above reasons, the ASEAN, China, Japan and South-Korea become interdependence, and it leads to the unity of Asia. I would argue, hopefully, the unity and cooperation of the Asian states will be stronger in the coming decades and it will make the 21^st century an Asian Century.

            However, I would not say that the Asian Century is perfect. There are some particular things which can undermine the Asian Century. The reunification of the Korea peninsula is still a big challenge for the two Koreas. The ASEAN cannot establish a mechanism to solve the South-China Sea dispute. The problem of China and Japan between Shinkaku Island still be a challenge to the security of the region. The claim of China in the East and South China Sea, and the involvement of the United States in the region need an understanding between the two powers.

            For resolving the above issues, I hope, ASEAN will set up a new agreement after 2015 which will lead to a stronger Asian cooperation including the biggest democratic India, the rising China and the US.

            To sum up, the 21^st century will be an Asian Century although the Asian needs to resolve several issues. Nonetheless, the strategic power focus of the US shifting to Asia-Pacific, the rise of China, the dynamic development of the ASEAN countries, the Myanmar’s role in connecting the Southeast and the South Asia, and the role of ASEAN in the future development of Japan and South-Korea are the main reasons of why the 21^st century will be an Asian century. Moreover, the emerging Asian Century will be a good example of the remaining regions of the world like Africa and Latin America.  

( This essay was written in the exam of Professor Thitinan Pondsudhirak, Professor of the  Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The Professor appreciated the essay as the best of the class.)