Will oil woes lead to Asian EU?

The Straits Times (Singapore) – Oct 21, 2004
By Leslie Fong, Editor-At-Large

What are the chances of China, Japan and other Asian countries banding together to form a political and economic entity much like the European Union (EU)?

Near zero, many would say. Such is the antipathy between the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese that it is hard to imagine that happening.

But something which they all need but do not have enough of may yet draw them closer – oil and gas …
As the world’s known deposits of fossil fuel are being run down, not least because of the growing demand of economies such as China’s, the day may come when the big consuming countries will have to fight – literally, in the worst case scenario – for supplies.

But it does not have to turn out that way if the far-sighted in Asia can persuade their countrymen to put aside the past and work together to ensure energy security for all.

History has, in fact, shown just how this can be done …

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