CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Thailand recently hosted an important regional meeting whose main theme was how to begin realizing the vision of an East Asian community. Academics and other opinion leaders from several Asian countries gathered in Bangkok under the framework of the Network of East Asian Think Tanks to pursue the old Malaysian idea of an East Asian Economic Caucus.
The EAEC proposal stirred considerable interest and discussions about a decade ago, but didn't get off the ground because of American opposition and other factors. Now, with further consolidation of U.S. and European groupings, the embryonic idea of a similar Asian formation appears to have gained momentum.
The key word in this exercise is "embryonic." We are yet at the starting point of exploring the overall potential. In this sense, the Thai side merits praise for taking the initiative of convening such a brainstorming meeting.