As most ASEAN countries have important rural sectors, much can be gleaned from the new socialist experience. Rural politics and development constitute an important plank in internal ASEAN politics, and could be viewed to be especially sensitive.

    Poverty alleviation is imperative in Southeast Asia. Like in China's case, Southeast Asian nations face the challenge of lifting millions out of poverty.

    Most ASEAN countries have huge rural populations, which are not as affluent and economically developed as the urban centres.

    There is also the urgent social obligation of narrowing disparity, especially closing the gap between rural and urban incomes, which could guarantee the future stability for Asian countries.

    China's lead in this area could provide inspiration to ASEAN countries, as they endeavour to achieve greater financial, and even more importantly, socio-economic re-distribution.

    Socio-economic re-distribution is a national and regional imperative that will perhaps need future co-operation within the budding East Asian Community one day.

    In its overall phenomenal growth, the East Asian region is still grappling for sustainable growth and development, as exemplified by recent cautionary remarks made by international institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.