東亞走過去二十餘年全球經濟發展最快速的地區，然而東亞的經濟整合程度不高。中國雖身為東亞大國，但目前在政治上維持低調，接受美國所架構的東亞國際秩序，惟也逐步要求中國應享有的強權地位；不過，中國在經濟事務上則表現較為積極的態度，爭取中國在東亞的主導地位。中國欲爭主導權，必須突破政治與經濟障礙。政治上，美日同盟的壓力與台灣問題始將是中共的心頭大患；經濟上，日本的競爭壓力再加上東亞各國經濟發展程度不一與缺乏區域內共通貨幣等兩項東亞整合的經濟障礙，是中國必須思考克服的難題。長遠來看，要達成東亞區域整合的目標，必須完成三項艱鉅工作，一是化解區域內政治歧見，拉近各國經濟發展，以其奠定整合的基礎；其次是透過創造性的方案，解決政治與歷史紛爭，以促進東亞區域共同體的出現；第三是和平解決兩岸爭端，形成一個堅實的華人經濟圈，做為東亞區域整合的核心。 For the past two decades, East Asia has experienced the fastest economic growth in the world. The East Asian regional integration, however, is still at the early stage. As a major power in East Asia, China keeps low profile politically and accepts the East Asian international order structured by the U.S.. Though, China also gradually demands to be treated as a major power, and pursues the leading role in the East Asian economic affairs more actively. In order to play the leading role, China must break political and economic barriers. Politically, the US-Japanese alliance and the Taiwan issues constitute the major threats to Chinese security. Economically, China must compete the leading role with Japan and China also has to try to overcome two major economic barriers for regional integration-the uneven economic development and the lack of regional currency in the East Asian region. Regarding the future of the East Asian integration, three goals must be achieved. Finally, a peaceful settlement of the cross-Strait dispute will fundamentally solidify a Chinese-speaking community to serve as a core for the East Asian integration.
