Asia needs a new paradigm

Comments on K. Kesavapany “Asia risks sabotaging its own rise”, 5/11/2010, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/11/05/asia-risks-sabotaging-its-own-rise/comment-page-1/#comment-229361
Asian countries, like European countries earlier on, have historical issues between some of the members.

While Western European countries have united through the European Union in the middle of the last century and some of the Eastern European countries joined that in the past two decades, Asian countries have not gone through such a process.

Asian countries are more diverse politically and economically.

Now some historical territorial disputes flash up from time to time and countries involved have not found a framework or paradigm to deal with and resolve them.

A potentially difficult issue is that China is big and increasingly more powerful on the one hand, and some others may feel to rely on the support of external powers to deal with China, but China may not like it.

That mentality, however, may further escalate regional tensions from time to time.

What all countries need to realise is that is likely to result a lose-lose outcome to all, possibly spread well over the disputed areas and outweigh the potential benefits from any territorial gains.

What every country should consider is how to achieve a win-win outcome for every country directly involved. And that is a challenge and requires a new approach from all sides.

PS: The fundamental issues are that China is here to stay and will become more and more powerful, but how China manages its rise and other regional players deal with China's rise will determine Asia's collective welfare, including China's.
Given China will be the single most powerful country in the region, it should take proactive initiatives to set examples for peacefully resolving regional disputes, by devising a fair rule with acceptable outcomes to every side with a open and fair mind.