ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the characteristics and the deepening of current intra- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic cooperation, and its major impacts on East Asian Economic Cooperation. Consequently, the wider region, at least including ASEAN and Japan, was a more rational target of expansion for production for Japanese automobile makers. As an important axis of regional economic cooperation and free trade agreements in East Asia, ASEAN has continued to expand. Numerous problems and centrifugal forces affected intra-ASEAN economic cooperation. The 'Declaration of ASEAN Concord II' in the 9th Summit meeting in Bali, Indonesia in October 2003 presented a plan to realize an ASEAN Community, which consisted of the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Social and Cultural Community. Therefore, Vientiane Action Program addressed the narrowing of the development gap in ASEAN Countries.
