China forges free trade pact with ASEAN countries; seen as challenge to U.

[maddezmom]

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) - Rising power China moved Monday to expand its influence in a region long dominated by the United States, signing an accord with Southeast Asian countries aimed at creating the world's largest free trade area by 2010 - a sprawling market of nearly two billion people.



China's concerns about securing vital sea lanes and feeding its booming economy's ravenous appetite for oil and raw materials were seen as key motivations for the trade pact with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the group's annual summit in Laos.


But some analysts believe the agreement shows how an increasingly bold China is forging new alliances that would reduce, and possibly eventually challenge, America's influence in Asia.


"China is using its huge market as a bait to lure ASEAN countries away from U.S. and Japan and build closer relations," said Chao Chien-min, a China watcher and political science professor at Taiwan's National Chengchi University.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1856&ncid=731&e=1&u=/cpress/20041129/ca_pr_on_wo/china_free_trade

[Anakin Skywalker]

1. Cool!

When will the freeptards learn that America is NOT the center of the universe?

[StClone]

2. China better watch out!

We are tough and we can invade them and convert them to Christianity. We'll force elections before 2005...Let's Roll!

[maddezmom]

3. yeah, China has been kicking ass and taking names the last week or so

while * is spending all his "capital" in Iraq, China is making building up a network of allies and treading partners around the world.