196 1 year, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines established the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as sponsors, which was regarded as the beginning of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. 1967, the impetus to promote regional cooperation in southeast Asia reappears. The foreign ministers of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia signed the Bangkok Declaration and established the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to replace the original ASEAN. Since then, ASEAN continues to expand. By the end of the 20th century, ASEAN had 10 member countries, realizing the union of the whole Southeast Asia.

ASEAN draws lessons from the experience of the European Union, but does not copy the practices and models of Europe. Instead, it has created a unique "ASEAN way" according to its own characteristics and needs. ASEAN was established on the basis of a declaration (Bangkok Declaration), which is only one page long. It is not a charter or a treaty, but a common understanding and commitment. The connotation of "ASEAN way" is called "unwritten norms, informal understanding"; It relies on "six principles", namely, respect for sovereignty and interdependence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force, avoidance of confrontation on bilateral issues at the regional level, consensus decision-making process and careful handling of sensitive issues. To sum up, the connotation of "ASEAN way" mainly includes:

First, gradually promote the expansion and promotion of ASEAN, persist in solving ASEAN affairs within the framework of ASEAN, and enhance regional cohesion. The value of ASEAN lies not in achieving a high degree of regional unity (or oneness), but in promoting consultation and cooperation on the premise of maintaining diversity. The contribution of "ASEAN way" lies in: building a "culture of consultation and consensus" with cooperation as the starting point; By organizing thousands of meetings every year, we will build a wide-ranging and multi-level "communication channel and network"; By adhering to the principle of non-interference, we will create a "silent diplomacy and conflict management mechanism." Southeast Asia is one of the most divided regions in the world, with various political systems, development levels, races and religions. The role of ASEAN is not to unify them, but to achieve harmony within the framework of cooperation. Maintaining diversity is the foundation of ASEAN cooperation, and achieving common development through cooperation is the unanimous pursuit of all member States. Therefore, the development process of ASEAN is regarded as the concrete embodiment of inclusive culture in Asia.

Second, adhere to economic development as the basis, gradually promote market opening in the region through ASEAN mechanism, and improve the comprehensive environment for development. Since the mid-1970s, ASEAN has begun to focus on promoting the opening of the internal market and optimizing the internal development environment. On the one hand, there are great differences within ASEAN, and some member countries are economically underdeveloped, so we must take a step-by-step view and make an accelerated plan according to the situation and needs; On the other hand, the internal and external conditions are changing rapidly, so it is necessary to adjust in time according to the changes in the situation, "strike while the iron is hot" and constantly promote the deepening of the opening up process with new processes.

The way of ASEAN economic cooperation is not to mobilize internal resources for collective project construction, but to promote market opening, improve the market environment in the region and enhance the attractiveness of the region to external resource investment. In fact, as a consortium of developing countries, the resources that can be mobilized within ASEAN are limited, and its biggest resource is market potential. Therefore, market opening itself can create resources. Especially after the financial crisis, ASEAN relies on accelerating opening up to enhance its attractiveness and create vitality. Facts have proved that this practice has promoted the return of capital to ASEAN, accelerated the pace of ASEAN's economic recovery and growth, and played an important role in getting ASEAN countries out of the crisis.

ASEAN improves the development environment not only by promoting market opening (including goods, services, investment and trade), but also by vigorously promoting economic cooperation. ASEAN's economic cooperation depends on internal and external development. ASEAN has put forward an interconnection plan and formulated an "action plan" for this purpose. Interconnection planning includes not only interconnection infrastructure construction, but also interconnection and personnel flow of relevant laws and regulations.

Through the above efforts, ASEAN has developed from an economically backward region into a dynamic and attractive region, especially some new member countries have achieved sustained high growth, and some have quickly stepped out of the ranks of low-income countries and entered the threshold of middle-income countries.

Third, construct the * * * isomorphism with ASEAN characteristics. The construction of ASEAN has established a position that conforms to the actual situation of the region, rather than copying the existing model. ASEAN is not a single organization like Europe, but consists of three frameworks: economy, security and social culture. The construction of ASEAN * * body emphasizes comfort, that is, the acceptance of all parties, that is, feasibility. This is very important, because the process beyond the acceptance capacity will either lead to division among member States or give up halfway.

The construction of ASEAN is a "natural development process", and ASEAN formulated the ASEAN Charter in 2007, which is an important turning point in the process of ASEAN cooperation. The establishment of ASEAN is based on "like-minded", but it is different from a charter, which means that the status, goals and principles of ASEAN as an organization are established in the form of law. The Charter stipulates that ASEAN is a regional organization with legal status, and its member countries should strictly abide by the provisions of the Charter, and take the Charter as the criterion when their laws and regulations conflict with the Charter, so as to ensure that all member countries promote the integration process under the same or similar legal framework; ASEAN can communicate with foreign countries as a whole and sign important agreements with other countries and organizations. ASEAN has an effective operational mechanism and collective decision-making power. The formulation of the ASEAN Charter shows that ASEAN has developed from a loose cooperation platform to a regional cooperation organization with legal status and decision-making effectiveness. This is the basis for ASEAN to move from functional cooperation to community building.

The development experience of ASEAN shows that regional cooperation is an effective way to achieve regional stability, peace and development. Southeast Asia has no history of regional cooperation, but through the gradual process of cooperation, member countries have gradually cultivated the spirit of cooperation, built the foundation of "* * * enjoying culture" and "* * * enjoying benefits", and enhanced the role and influence of the region. In the process of ASEAN's development, voices of doubt and even criticism have been accompanied. Critics believe that there are too many projects and plans put forward by ASEAN, but there is no effective implementation mechanism. This is true in many cases, especially ASEAN lacks collective resources and the ability to provide public goods to the region, and mainly relies on external resources. The success of ASEAN depends on strategic design and "resilience determination". The significance of strategic design lies in setting the promotion goal and taking the goal as the driving force, especially the latter one, which is a way for ASEAN to promote the cooperation process. The so-called "resilience determination" means perseverance, patience and decisiveness in the face of complex and difficult situations, and perseverance and continuous progress in cooperation.

There are different perspectives on the study of ASEAN development itself. For example, the characteristics of its "soft mechanism" are not binding on the implementation of the knowledge reached or the proposed scheme, thus greatly reducing the actual effect of implementation, resulting in "talking more but doing less". But it can also be understood from another angle, that is, if it is a "hard mechanism", then it is difficult for countries with huge differences 10 to acquire a * * * knowledge when making plans, thus bringing the whole development process to a deadlock. Take accepting Myanmar as an example. ASEAN's "silent diplomacy" has played a positive role in Myanmar's political stability and transformation, avoiding "policy rebellion" or civil strife caused by excessive pressure. (17) Of course, ASEAN itself is flawed. For example, although its principle of non-interference in internal affairs guarantees the autonomy of member countries, some member countries go their own way and do harm to the interests of other countries and ASEAN, and ASEAN can do nothing about it. In addition, although ASEAN's "comfort principle" provides flexible space for member countries, it often greatly reduces the effectiveness of ASEAN's implementation of the action agenda.

Second, how to understand "taking ASEAN as the center"

"Taking ASEAN as the center" is the basic principle for ASEAN to develop its foreign relations and cooperation. Generally speaking, the principle of "center" has two basic meanings: one is to maintain the core position of ASEAN, and the other is to uphold the leading role of ASEAN. These two aspects are inseparable, aiming at safeguarding the core interests of ASEAN and ensuring that it will not be split and disintegrated in foreign cooperation.

As a regional organization, ASEAN has always adhered to two strategic baselines when expanding its foreign relations: First, it should build its own regional power balance network to prevent any kind of power, especially the power of big countries, from monopolizing regional affairs by building the balance and restriction of external forces, and to prevent conflicts or wars that harm itself and its own interests in the region due to power imbalance. Second, in promoting the construction of regional cooperation mechanisms, the framework of ASEAN promotion and consultation among all parties has always been maintained. This has two important meanings: first, ASEAN, as a collective force, takes it as its own responsibility to create a safe environment in the region. In this creation, ASEAN does not use its hard power to compete with big countries, but uses its "soft power", that is, the power of regional organizations to deal with big countries and balance the power of big countries to win its own initiative. Second, ASEAN plays a guiding role, but it is not stubborn. But as a coordination center, it absorbs the opinions of all parties and forms a basic knowledge. This understanding has a basic premise, that is, ASEAN agrees with itself and is beneficial to itself.

This self-centered operation of ASEAN seems selfish and overbearing, but in fact it is only a pragmatic and skillful choice. In fact, adhering to the ASEAN-centered cooperation in East Asia is also of special significance, that is, ASEAN has become a real "master" when other countries cannot work together to promote it. Of course, sometimes this will also have a negative impact on the cooperation process in East Asia, that is, ASEAN may hesitate on important issues, lack practical means to promote the implementation of the * * * knowledge, and even drag its feet in some cases. Despite this, other countries still recognize and accept ASEAN, and even wait for ASEAN to play its role. In this regard, the launch of the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership" is a good example. There are differences between China and Japan in the process of promoting East Asia Free Trade Area. China pushes "10+3" as the basis, while Japan insists on "10+6" as the basis. In this case, ASEAN can only play its role and propose a promotion plan. However, from 2006 to 20 1 1, ASEAN did not make a decision. Only on 20 1 1, when the United States made progress in promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and four ASEAN members joined the TPP, ASEAN put forward a plan to build RCEP, and the cooperation between ASEAN and East Asia faced great challenges. Once the plan was put forward, it was immediately supported by China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. ASEAN put forward the guiding principles for RCEP and came forward to organize the negotiation agenda. In this way, the "central position" of ASEAN has been established.

The "10+" framework promoted by ASEAN is the best embodiment of upholding and ensuring ASEAN as the center. This framework includes not only the ASEAN-Dialogue Partnership mechanism promoted by ASEAN, but also the free trade areas established by ASEAN and several countries, as well as the "10+3" and "10+6" free trade area frameworks. All levels of "10+" dialogue framework and free trade area framework are designed by ASEAN, forming an ASEAN-first, ASEAN-oriented and ASEAN-led framework. In the construction of international relations and regional order, no country can play an active and constructive role in regional cooperation like ASEAN.

The establishment of the ASEAN dialogue partner mechanism embodies the strategy of "taking ASEAN as the center". ASEAN has successively established 10 dialogue partners: Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States. It should be said that the establishment of dialogue partner mechanism is a creation of ASEAN's foreign relations, which is different from the traditional alliance and non-alignment relations and is a means for ASEAN to carry out balanced diplomacy. In addition, ASEAN has developed diversified cooperation with dialogue partners through this mechanism, and dialogue partners have also used this mechanism to expand their cooperative relations with ASEAN.

The construction of "10+ 1" free trade area has further strengthened the central position of ASEAN. Originally, China proposed to build a free trade area with ASEAN. However, ASEAN adheres to the "ASEAN+"framework as the cooperation content under the "10+ 1" dialogue mechanism. In the construction of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, China will negotiate ASEAN as a whole, which is of great significance to ASEAN. In fact, before this, ASEAN as a whole did not reach a substantive FTA agreement with the outside world. Of course, it is also desirable for China to treat ASEAN as a whole, which can make the negotiations "simple", because it is obviously much easier to negotiate with the whole ASEAN than with 10 member countries with great differences. The success of ASEAN and China's free trade area construction has strengthened their confidence in expanding the framework of "10+ 1" and helped them actively promote the free trade area construction with Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union. The construction of free trade area, which integrates market opening and economic cooperation, has greatly enriched the content, deepened the relationship between ASEAN and dialogue partners, and accumulated experience for ASEAN to play the role of "process designer" and maintain ASEAN's central position.

In fact, in the process of building the above mechanism, ASEAN does not have the ability to command and control the direction. Many times, ASEAN is pushed forward by the other side. For example, in the construction of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, many ideas put forward by China have been understood and supported by ASEAN. Therefore, "taking ASEAN as the center" does not mean that everything is decided by ASEAN-in fact, ASEAN does not have this ability, but it makes ASEAN more confident to participate in cooperation. It is very important to cooperate with ASEAN and gain its understanding and support, and to gain its understanding and support, we must fully consider its special interests, concerns and acceptance. For example, China's "early harvest" plan takes into account the comparative advantages of less developed ASEAN countries in agricultural products export, and proposes that the contents of the negotiations can be promoted step by step (first trade in goods, then trade in services and investment), and give care to less developed members. Fully consider the interests of ASEAN and the ability of new members to participate in cooperation. China proposed to build an Expo platform with ASEAN * *, considering providing a platform for both sides, especially ASEAN countries, and expanding communication channels. Of course, China also has its own interests to consider. What I want to emphasize here is that to understand and recognize the central position of ASEAN, it is important for partners to fully consider the special interests of ASEAN; As far as ASEAN is concerned, it is necessary to take the initiative in the process and let the partners consider and take care of their own interests. It is necessary for ASEAN to do so because there are great differences in its internal development level and interest concerns. If ASEAN cannot reflect the balance between its overall interests and differential interests, it will lose its cohesion.

The ASEAN Regional Forum is an important mechanism for ASEAN to build a self-centered big country balance strategy. Southeast Asia is located at the crossroads of land and sea, and it is the key area of various power games. After the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the bipolar pattern, great changes have taken place in the international situation and international relations. Facing the new situation, ASEAN decided to start the 1992 regional political and security dialogue. The 26th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting the following year arranged for the foreign ministers of six ASEAN member countries, seven dialogue partners, three observer countries and two guests to hold consultations on security dialogue. The foreign ministers agreed to launch the ASEAN Regional Forum mechanism in 1994 to conduct dialogue and consultation on regional political and security issues. Since then, the ASEAN Regional Forum has been held in ASEAN countries every year, becoming the most influential security dialogue and cooperation mechanism in the region. At present, the mechanism has 23 member countries, including not only countries in the Asia-Pacific region, but also the European Union. The ASEAN Regional Forum is an official cooperation mechanism. According to the design, the function of the mechanism will be gradually improved and the cooperation content will be gradually deepened. Its development process is divided into three stages: "confidence-building measures", "preventive diplomacy" and "exploring ways to solve conflicts" Up to 20 1 1, the ARF has implemented more than 100 confidence-building measures projects. 20 1 1 1 the 8th meeting of foreign ministers adopted the ARF preventive diplomacy work plan, indicating that it is ready to enter the second stage, that is, the stage of "developing preventive diplomacy". In order to maintain the core position of ASEAN in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Regional Forum, as the follow-up agenda of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, has been presided over by the then ASEAN presidency, and the ASEAN Secretariat is responsible for the main topics and planning and design.

Today's world and regional security issues are complex and changeable, the pattern of security forces has undergone important adjustments and changes, and new contradictions and strategic competition have intensified. ASEAN has always grasped two main points: first, official dialogue and discussion on important issues that endanger security; The second is to make the forum a platform to strengthen exchanges, narrow differences and gather knowledge, and avoid becoming a place for struggle. It is not easy to do this, because regional security issues are not intrinsically related to market mechanisms like economic relations, but are often games and struggles between national interests and forces. Seeking the same interest base and establishing cooperation mechanism involve complex factors. Therefore, although the ASEAN Regional Forum has been insisting on its activities, it has not significantly improved the mechanism and function of cooperation as originally envisaged. In terms of characteristics, the ASEAN Regional Forum is an international security dialogue and cooperation mechanism with small and medium-sized countries as the mainstay. Although ASEAN basically controls its own development mode and rhythm, allowing big countries to participate rather than dominate, and carrying out "soft checks and balances" on the power of big countries, some big countries can suddenly launch their own agendas, and sometimes they will join hands with individual ASEAN members to propose topics that are not set topics.

In fact, the biggest challenge to maintain ASEAN's central position is its internal centripetal force and cohesion. In view of its own limitations, ASEAN cannot completely control the self-action of its member countries, nor can it restrict its freedom of speech. How to make the ARF process an effective stage for preventive diplomacy is a test for ASEAN. The same is true for building an ASEAN-centered economic open cooperation framework. Although some member countries participate in and support the overall construction of ASEAN, in many cases, they are not limited by the overall agenda of ASEAN.

ASEAN's great power balance strategy has also been impacted by the US strategy of "returning to Asia". The United States is a superpower and has great interests and influence in Asia-Pacific and East Asia. Originally, some ASEAN countries tried to balance China by pulling the United States into regional affairs. However, the "return" strategy of the United States tilted the balance of power towards the United States, and some ASEAN countries (such as the Philippines and Viet Nam) took the opportunity to pull the United States against China, dismembering the overall balance strategy of ASEAN. In fact, the United States' excessive intervention and efforts to rebuild its dominant position are a threat to the overall unity and development of ASEAN, making it difficult for some processes to develop according to the core design of ASEAN. Under the new situation of great changes in the world and regional power structure, it is a new test for ASEAN to find its new position, how to use collective power to maintain the balance of regional power, how to maintain the big framework of regional cooperation and the balance of interests, and how to make itself at the center of "four or two". In East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, there are still many unknowns about how ASEAN can maintain and further strengthen its central position. But ASEAN will definitely work hard, because if it doesn't work hard, its own development will be even more challenged.

Of course, it is worth considering that from the perspective of East Asian regional cooperation, the goal and structure of East Asian regional cooperation are also put forward with "ASEAN as the center". From the objective analysis, if the ultimate goal of East Asian cooperation is to establish a single regional cooperation mechanism, then there may be only two options: one is to realize the expansion of ASEAN, that is, to absorb other countries and expand it into a greater ASEAN based on East Asia. If so, ASEAN will have only one name, and its connotation and structure will change. So ASEAN may not want a big country like China to join. Another option is the disintegration of ASEAN and the integration of Southeast Asian countries into larger regional cooperation organizations. If so, there is no way to take ASEAN as the center. Perhaps this is what ASEAN is worried about and trying to avoid. If these two options are not realistic, then it is necessary to think about and design an inclusive framework of regional cooperation in East Asia, which can not only maintain the existence of ASEAN, but also develop the mechanism of regional cooperation in East Asia.

In fact, ASEAN's self-centered construction is also a very inclusive framework. Take RCEP as an example, its goal is to build a big market with 65,438+06 countries and promote an inclusive framework. As a regional organization, ASEAN participates in and plays a leading role. Although ASEAN has maintained a central position and played a leading role in the design and negotiation of RCEP, RCEP has created an open big market, in which participants are equal and enjoy * * *, that is to say, the ASEAN market will be brought into a larger market framework. The financial cooperation in East Asia is basically the same. The East Asian Monetary Reserve Fund, which consists of 13 countries, has not set up an ASEAN mechanism alone. Obviously, ASEAN is not opposed to the establishment of a functional regional mechanism. Perhaps what ASEAN rejects is the system construction in East Asia, which can dilute the unification of ASEAN. This provides a perspective for us to construct the goal and framework of East Asian regional cooperation in the future. For example, East Asia can be regarded as a loose and inclusive goal and framework of regional cooperation, in which ASEAN can still exist and maintain its "central position" and play an active role. In this way, perhaps ASEAN will give it greater support.

Third, how to understand the ASEAN * * * body?

According to the plan, ASEAN * * * will be completed by the end of 20 15. In fact, ASEAN is a "building" supported by three pillars: economy, security and social culture. This design is unique, an innovation in the construction of regional cooperation system, and a good embodiment of ASEAN's inclusive principle.

The establishment of economic integration is not the establishment of a supranational regional management mechanism, but the establishment of a single market and a single production base. That is to say, on the basis of a free trade zone, the degree of market opening will be further improved, the economic development environment will be further improved, the links between regional production networks will be strengthened, and the operating cost of the industrial chain will be reduced, thus promoting the all-round development of the regional economy. The basic characteristics of ASEAN economy are: a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic zone, an economic zone with balanced economic development, and an economic zone in line with the global economy. The single market and production base are mainly reflected in the free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled workers. The construction of ASEAN's economic * * * identity does not follow the traditional path of customs union → * * and market → economic * * *, but finds another way according to the specific situation of ASEAN. The ASEAN economic entity is developed on the basis of the ASEAN Free Trade Area, which is actually an upgraded version of the Free Trade Area. 20 15 is the deadline for ASEAN to build an integrated economy. At that time, a series of necessary indicators must be completed, but it is not the final time limit-this is very different from the European way-and will continue to deepen afterwards. In fact, there are huge differences within ASEAN, and ASEAN as an organization does not have the resources to provide assistance to underdeveloped members, which to a great extent makes ASEAN lack a strong sense of "* * * enjoying identity". Especially the top-down recognition and promotion of * * * identity construction makes people's understanding of * * * identity weak, and people in many countries don't know what benefits economic * * * identity will bring them. When establishing a unified big market, the European Union not only made complete legislative preparations, but also made great efforts to carry out social propaganda and civic education, so that the people fully realized this and won the greatest support from the people. Compared with the EU, so far, ASEAN has done little to popularize ASEAN publicity and education.

According to the ASEAN Social and Cultural Solidarity Action Plan, the goals of social and cultural solidarity mainly include: * * building social care, * * * coping with poverty, equality and development; Improve the competitiveness of human resources and promote the establishment of a social security system to cope with the social impact of economic integration; Promote sustainable development and good environmental governance; Strengthen the foundation of social cohesion; Wait a minute. Social solidarity is based on mutual understanding, good-neighborliness and common responsibility, protection of human rights and social justice. The basis of cultural identity is to respect the development of diversity and strengthen mutual exchange, reference and learning. The construction of ASEAN social and cultural identity is not to pursue the same social policies and cultural values, but to carry forward the spirit of mutual cooperation, mutual respect and mutual learning, and to build a harmonious, mutually supportive and well-being region. A prominent feature of ASEAN's social and cultural identity is that its content involves not only social equity and cultural identity, but also environmental and ecological protection, emphasizing the construction of ASEAN into a sustainable development region.

The goal of security is to maintain regional security, but it is not achieved by strengthening ASEAN's collective maintenance ability, but by strengthening internal coordination, reducing conflict risks and eliminating or reducing factors that endanger security. The ASEAN Security Community adheres to the principles of respecting national sovereignty, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and non-use of force, and is committed to creating an internal peaceful environment, such as denuclearization, avoiding an arms race, not using or threatening to use force, peacefully resolving disputes, and cultivating a sense of peace and responsibility. Obviously, the regional security created by ASEAN security bodies is not solved by collective security forces, or by transferring national security management rights and upgrading collective management rights, but by collectively reaching * * * understandings and regulating acts endangering peace.

The security of ASEAN involves external relations, so how to deal with external countries, especially big countries, is particularly important. ASEAN adopts the strategy of dialogue, cooperation and balance of power, that is, political and security dialogue, consultation and cooperation with external countries, building a power balance mechanism with ASEAN as the center, and eliminating the possibility of confrontation and war between external forces in the region. ASEAN has formulated the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Treaty of Denuclearization in Southeast Asia. All dialogue and cooperation partners of ASEAN need to sign these two treaties and commit themselves to abide by their principles.

From "alliance" to "unity" is a historic turning point. This is because, firstly, the ASEAN Charter, a legal document signed by member countries, was established to build the ASEAN Community. It took three years to draft and adopt the ASEAN Charter. First, a group of eminent persons was set up to make suggestions on the framework and principles of the Charter, and then senior officials proposed the draft Charter, which was discussed and adopted by the summit, and finally signed by all member States. Since the Charter has been approved by parliaments of various countries, its implementation should be a legal obligation that all member States must fulfill. Second, ASEAN therefore has the status of a legal person and becomes an international organization representing its member countries. In this way, other countries can send ambassadors to ASEAN and develop relations with ASEAN, thus "having a stable regional order" in Southeast Asia. Third, build a management system to support the development of ASEAN, so that it can have a "cohesive institutional framework to manage" and become a "more efficient organization".

The construction of ASEAN is carried out in accordance with the "ASEAN way". Unlike the construction of a unified European market, it is necessary to formulate hundreds of laws to regulate every link of the problem in the form of laws and do everything according to law. The construction of ASEAN Community depends on the implementation of the construction goals reached by member countries, and all member countries have made concrete efforts to achieve these goals.