The Asian Experience for Europe: New Perspectives

An editorial introduction to the Special Issue of The Baltic Journal of European Studies.

The individual articles in this Special Issue present a diverse array of analyses and topics: what binds them together, however, is the perspective of change. The twentieth-century certainties are no longer adequate explanations as the evolving mosaic of Asia-Pacific relations continues to surprise even the most well-informed commentators. Contemporary developments in China, North Korea, and Japan collectively present a new international relations subsystem of issues that challenge the existing multilateral and strategic context of the Asia-Pacific. Additionally, the different regionalisms as expressed by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process emphasise the intercontinental connectivity of Asia-Pacific relations, while generating plenty of serious discussions on the topic in the European Union (EU).

The Special Issue falls into two parts: an examination of regional approaches (BRI and ASEM) and country-specific case studies (Singapore, Japan, North Korea, and Taiwan) and how these have been affected by the rise of China. The diversity of the contributions perfectly matches the kaleidoscopic patchwork that represents the Asia-Pacific and articulates the important juxtaposition of EU solidarity with the more pragmatic alliances that help in shaping the region—ASEM, Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN, as well as traditional bilateralism.