ABSTRACT
Determining the borders of the‘Asian’ region and determining what counts as an‘Asian perspective’ is inevitably controversial. Such questions have been created and influenced by a myriad of power interests, cultural exchanges and representations, as well as contested territorial mappings (Victor Prescott 2003). Moreover, technology and innovations in transportation and infrastructure are now re-connecting many of the older East–West trading routes and‘new Silk Roads’. Interest in trans-continental railways (from Busan to Paris) and overland trade and maritime shipping routes also play a considerable part in both national and regional identity construction. These official and unofficial constructions also impact on the geopolitical dynamics of the region. For instance, recently, there has been Russian and Chinese interest in connecting the port of Hasan in Russia to the port of Rajin in North Korea. This would make access to the Northern sea routes easier for China. Russia and South Korea have called for a trans-Korean rail-link. Along with a proposed natural gas pipeline, this initiative would also enable South Korea to gain easier access to Russian Siberia’s abundant natural resources.
