Asia is the third pillar in world economy and needs its own representatives

second Comments on Gary Hawke “The Asia Pacific Community: objectives, not institutions”, 15/06/2009, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2009/06/15/the-asia-pacific-community-objectives-not-institutions/

I can just add some economic information to the debate. I just have a look at the CIA country information about its estimated purchasing power parity (PPP) data of a number of countries and got the following information (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/).

The PPPs for 2008 were $17.2 trillion for the North America (US, Canada and Mexico), $14.82 trillion for the heavy weights in EU (Germany, UK, Italy, France) and $14.43 trillion for North East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan).

With other dynamic developing economies coming along in Asia, especially noticeable India, and the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, Asia is really becoming the third pillar, together with the US and EU, in the world economy.

What this means is that it would be better if it is possible to have some sort of Asian regional organisations to coordinate their common efforts and represent their interest in the world affairs. After all, Asia has about two thirds of world population, with two countries each having more than a billion population.

A peaceful, stable and more prosperous Asia will contribute to a better world.

No matter it is population, geographical size, or economic weights, Asia is an important continent. it needs its own voices and representatives in the world affairs.