“China-ASEAN Security Landscape and Mechanisms for regional cooperation: Thailand Perspective”

By

MajGen Surasit Thanadtang

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Introduction: The Global and Regional Security Situation

            Since 1987, when the collapse of the Soviet Union signified the end of the Cold War, the global situation has changed dramatically.  The strategic environment changed from a bi-polar system to one where there was only one superpower.  As a result from the profound influence of the globalizing world, many countries are concentrating on their economic recovery and development without any consideration to ideology or doctrine as in the past.  At the same time, developed western countries, especially the United States, have been trying to promote to other countries a New World Order concept which incorporates democratic rule, respect for human rights, free trade, and protection of the environment