[20051209]RS22346_东亚峰会：国会议题.pdf

1 Embassy of Japan, “General Information on the East Asia Summit,” December 7, 2005.2 “ASEAN to Invite Russia as “Special Guest” to EAS,” Jiji Press, November 29, 2005.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS22346December 9, 2005East Asian Summit: Issues for CongressBruce VaughnAnalyst in Southeast and South Asian AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryFundamental shifts underway in Asia could constrain the U.S. role in themultilateral affairs of Asia. The centrality of the United States is now being challengedby renewed regionalism in Asia and by Chinas rising influence. While the United Statestraditionally has played a central role in setting the agenda and shaping the goals formultilateral cooperation in the region, including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) group, there is the potential that the upcoming East Asian Summit, to which theUnited States has not been invited, could lead to a new regional forum led by China thatwould exclude the United States and increasingly displace APEC, and other moreinclusive fora, as the leading multilateral grouping of Asia. Although ther