Northeast Asia is one of the world's most dynamic sub-regions, demonstrating spectacular economic growth at various times over the past four decades. However, it is also perceived to be one of the greatest threats to international security. The region is the most militarized in the world with a high level of intra-regional distrust. Countries in the region also face common problems of regional economic expansion and competition. Interstate relations between Northeast Asian states have been driven by traditional concepts of security - such as state sovereignty and relative power - and ideological differences. As a result, this has limited the prospect of multilateral engagement between states in the Northeast Asian region and there exists no regional conflict management mechanisms or regional culture of conflict prevention.

Resource scarcity, with reference to energy supplies, is a growing problem in Northeast Asia. The uncertainty over energy supplies in the region is to a large extent driven by China's demographic pressure and rapid economic modernization. In recognizing the importance of acquiring and maintaining a constant supply of energy imports, the Chinese government has been engaged in defining and implementing an energy security policy resulting in a more pro-active foreign and security policy.

The political implication of energy security considerations on Northeast Asian politics has not been given enough consideration and this project intends to give it the attention it deserves. China is not the only country in the region concerned about its energy supply. The quest for long-term energy supplies is becoming a matter of increasing regional competition with secure access to oil and gas a matter of national strategic consideration for Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan all of whom are net energy importers.

As consideration for energy security increases in national security priority, its impact on politics would likewise increase in significance. The governments in the region presently retain considerable influence over their respective energy markets through policies, regulation, ownership or investment. With the security of the energy supply being a concern for most governments, energy security considerations have not been left to market forces alone; instead, it requires a high and concerted level of political engagement by the respective governments.

Accordingly, the project would focus primarily on the political dimension of the acquisition, transportation and use of energy resources. The project aims to provide insights into how energy security affects the development of the region's politics. It would help identify pitfalls, opportunities and allow for better assessment for those planning to understand and engage the region.

It falls within the scope of this project to consider the feasibility of establishing such a regional energy security network through a common conceptual framework and policy approach. We seek to identify mutual interests and common ground for this diverse group of countries, and suggest practical and politically acceptable steps necessary for its realization. The political obstacles facing the implementation of such a plan and the necessary measures that can be undertaken to overcome the identified obstacles will also be examined.

Gathering policy-makers from the various Northeast Asian countries together to discuss shared interest in energy cooperation is a huge challenge due to the cultural differences, historical backgrounds and political hostility between the states. Favorably, the Program for Contemporary Silk Road Studies has extensive high-level relations in the region; this makes it possible for us to engage in such a project.

This project is part of the by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs funded research on Conflict and Security in Asia.

See also:

Energy & Cooperation in Central Asia (ECCA)