Comments on Michael Richardson's article

Michael Richardson's fine essay makes clear the Australian interest in engaging in the 2005 East Asian Summit. He also explains the advantages for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in incorporating Australia and New Zealand in this way. He lists the current substance of Australian -ASEAN relations-economic diplomacy, flow of visitors, numbers of Asian students in Australia, number of Australians working in the region, and so forth. Australia's main export destination, of course, is Japan; China is now second. It is striking that the United States is less important in trade for Australia than it is for many Asian countries.