ASEAN: Catalyst for New Asia

Abstract

The Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in August 1967 with five members — Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Later, the membership was expanded to seven, with the entry of Brunei and Vietnam, and by the year 2000, it is expected to grow to ten with Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia as new members. ASEAN nations are very different in many ways but at the same time share similarities. They vary culturally, with different ethnic groups, languages and religions, as well as politically and economically, being at different stages of development. Nevertheless, there are similarities in that they share similar positions in diplomacy and security, and pursue similar political and economic goals.