(Published in Global Times, 30th Nov.07)

As the ASEAN "10+3" cooperation agreement in Asia moves into its second decade, western public opinion is becoming heated, even though Asia denies that it will compromise American interests. However, at the beginning of this month, Britain's Financial Times published a special feature on what it described as the heated topic of "Asia-US Separation". Certainly, for Asia and America to continue to mutually benefit from one another is the significant challenge facing cross-Pacific relations.

In taking its own interests into account, America's concerns regarding Asia mostly revolve around three points: first, whether the drive toward pan-Asian cooperation could sideline America; second, whether this would conversely lead to the strengthening of China's position; third, possible future weakening of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

This is a summary. Full article at:
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/14549/6603353.html