‘New Asian Regionalism in International Economic Law’ held at NSU

 

 

NSU Live: The Department of Law, North South University (NSU), organized a webinar on “New Asian Regionalism in International Economic Law” on 9 June 2022. In this webinar, Professor Pasha L. Hsieh, Associate Professor and Lee Kong Chian Fellow; Associate Dean (Faculty Matters & Research), Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University, spoke as the guest speaker discussing his latest book 'New Asian Regionalism in International Economic Law' published by Cambridge University Press.

Professor Md. Rizwan ul Islam, Chair, Department of Law, North South University, gave the introductory remarks. Professor Islam pointed out that most commentary on regionalism focuses on Europe or North America.

He commented there are also detailed research works such as a book on legal aspects of economic regionalism in Africa by Professor James Thuo Gathii, but there is a dearth of such work on the entirety of Asia. Hence, Professor Hsieh’s book is a welcome addition to the literature that systemically studies economic regionalism in Asia.

Professor Hsieh’s talk was based on his book, in which he not only pointed out the political and economic perspective on new Asian regionalism but also systematically explored the legal regimes of Asian agreements and their impact on a multilateral trading system with advanced new legal and theoretical arguments.

In elaborating on the context of the book, Professor Hsieh highlighted the increasing economic power of Asia in the past couple of decades. He commented that he defines new Asian regionalism as a new normative integration process that is evolved by the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) framework, which underpins Asia’s ascending economic power. He further added that the new Asian regionalism emerged during the third wave of regionalism and contributed to the New Regional Economic Order (NREO).

Professor Hsieh explained that Mega-FTAs such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, etc., and most importantly, ASEAN-centered regime has emerged during the third wave of regionalism. He elaborated on how ASEAN concluded agreements with external parties such as China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

He argued that contrary to the commentary of many observers, RCEP is a more ASEAN-led initiative than a China-led one. He opined policymakers need to appreciate that cross-border economic relations should not be hostage to myopic cross-border politics. The webinar was followed by a question-answer session moderated by Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Chair, Department of Law, North South University.

This was the 26th webinar of the international webinar series of the Department of Law, North South University, which was launched in January 2021. Professors from Australia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America graced the webinar series by delivering their lectures.

Dhaka, 14 June (campuslive24.com)//BIT

---

---