Abstract
The main aim of the paper is to offer a single case study analysing the relation between regionalism and multilateral trade liberalisation and their mutual conditionality. This enables us to make inferences about both aforementioned processes and their subsequent comparison with theoretical approaches.
Thus, this single case study should contribute to the knowledge pool of regionalism versus multilateral trade liberalisation by taking closer look at the dynamics of the Asian regionalism, more precisely East Asia regionalism and its most important regional trade agreement between China and ASEAN countries. Therefore the central question is whether China accession to the WTO, its membership terms, might be the leading motivational factor for the establishment of the ASEAN-China FTA.
Method used in this single case study is process tracing. I have chosen this method for identification and testing of the causal mechanisms of hypothesized process and causal relations between variables and compare this hypothesized process with empirical evidences.
China and its changed strategy towards deeper integration into global as well as regional economy contributed to the debate about the motivations behind its strategy. Many scholars argue that even economic reasons identified behind the regional integration can be in fact result of political or security goals and economy is used only as a tool for political strategies.
Therefore, concept of the "peaceful ascendancy" is in sharp contrast with economic argumenation supporting economic calculation which should not be marginalized, especially if WTO conditions are the main causal factors.