United States & East Asia: Conflict & Co-Operation

Ambassador Tommy T. B. Koh was invited to give three lectures to the Stanford University community as the 1994-95 Arthur and Frank Payne Lecturer on the Global Community and Its Challenges in 1995. His lectures, now published in this volume as The United States and East Asia: Conflict and Co-Operation, address the three central issues of economy, security and culture, and put forward his views with great insight and clarity. The question of economic union or conflict is posed against the background of East Asia's 'miracle' rise in the world economy. Is the success of East Asia a threat or benefit to the United States? What is the role and significance of APEC in fostering economic interdependence and will this make for a stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific? For the first time in 50 years, East Asia is at peace. Will peace and prosperity prevail? Professor Koh examines both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. He argues for the continued engagement of the United States in East Asia and for a stable relationship between the United States, Japan and China.