It started with those countries of similar economic features, then was gradually expanded to more countries. Likewise, the current cooperation among the East Asian countries should also start from the areas where the consensus can be more easily reached, and then spread gradually on the basis of consolidation. Contrast to other regional organizations that started from trade cooperation before their expansion, the East Asian Cooperation started from the financial field where they shared consensus before the comprehensive cooperative relations could be gradually established in the field of finance, trade and investment. Thirdly, The East Asian cooperation has emerged along with the vigorous momentum of regionalization in global economy, which is consistent with economic globalization. As known to all, there are two sides to the coin.
Globalization is no exception.
While having accelerated world economic development, it has also brought about the problem of uneven distribution of benefits, thereby accentuating global economic polarization. As a result of dramatic advancement of modern information technology, the Digital Divide has further widened the income and development gap between the developed and developing countries. Many developing countries found themselves increasingly marginalized in the course of globalization. Despite some undesirable side effects, economic globalization has become the general trend of the time. History has taught us that if a country shut itself from the world in its development course, it would be quickly left behind by the rest of the world.