ABSTRACT
The Pacific Community concept is, at base, an effort to induce greater rationality into the international relationships of the Greater Pacific Basin, especially in economic relations. Its main purpose is to facilitate efficient and profitable trade and investment. The principal architects of the Pacific Community concept have already decided to limit membership in key organizational roles to representatives of the market economy nations. Exclusion of the market economies, for whatever reason, could damage the credibility and perhaps viability of the Pacific Community concept. Any effort to accommodate China in a Pacific Community organization would be in keeping with the aspirations of most businessmen and strategic planners. Although most expressions of interest within the Soviet Union about the Pacific Community idea have been critical or laced with skepticism and sarcasm, there is also some serious interest and occasional expressions of a desire to participate.
