The European Union through the eyes of Asia

MSc. Tran Bach Hieu (Department of Political Science)We are pleased to introduce this book.“The EU through the Eyes of Asia Volume II: New Cases, New Findings”Published by World Scientific in October 2009, it is 270 pages long.

This book is the result of 18 months of research by researchers from New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The Vietnamese researchers include:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh(Head of the Department of International Studies - Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi)PhD Candidate Bui Hai Dang(Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations - Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City)MSc. Tran Bach Hieu(Lecturer in the Department of Political Science - Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

It is evident that Europe and Asia have become increasingly interconnected in recent decades. The development of relations between these two continents stems from historical, cultural, economic, and political ties. It is precisely because of this deep relationship between the two regions that, naturally, scholars and researchers have raised questions."How is the EU perceived in Asia?"This question has become a matter of significant attention, prompting much reflection on the relationship between Asia and Europe. The issue is particularly relevant given that the EU has become a crucial economic partner for many Asian countries, while also emerging as a long-standing political and security dialogue partner for the continent. In light of this reality, this book...“The EU through the Eyes of Asia Volume II: New Cases, New Findings”It was created to meet the need to transmit reliable and up-to-date knowledge and information about new perceptions of the EU in Asia.

Beginning in 2006, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the National Centre for European Studies (NCRE) at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, established the European Research Network in Asia (ESiA) and initiated the research project “The EU Through the Eyes of Asia”. This first comparative research project aimed to explore in detail perceptions of the EU in Asia. In 2009, the “EU Through the Eyes of Asia” research project was conducted at 12 research sites across Asia. In each region, the project attempted to systematically examine the EU's presence by analyzing news coverage of the EU in reputable newspapers and television channels, as well as assessments of the EU by Asian citizens, elites, and national leaders.

The bookThe European Union Through the Eyes of Asia, Volume II: New Case Studies, New Research FindingsThe book presents the project's new findings and discoveries. Simultaneously, it provides a detailed and systematic overview of the EU's presence through the research of three research groups from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines (referred to as the "VIP" group). All data analysis and research were conducted in 2008 and the first half of 2009. Furthermore, the book compares the results and findings from the initial phase of the project conducted in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand in 2006 (Volume 1 published in 2007). It can be said that the published research results of the project "EU Through the Eyes of Asians" are of great value to policymakers and leaders in both Europe and Asia.

"The European Union Through the Eyes of Asia, Volume II"This work consists of seven chapters. The first three chapters, written by researchers from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, provide a comprehensive overview of perceptions and images of the EU as reflected in each country. Chapter 1, researched by Alma Maria Salvador, Leslie Advincula-lopez, and Manuel Enverga, investigates the image of the EU in the Philippines. Chapter 2, written by researchers Pham Quang Minh, Bui Hai Dang, and Tran Bach Hieu, specifically examines perceptions of the EU in Vietnam through media coverage, public opinion, and the views of the elite and leadership class. Chapter 3, written by Cornelis Pieter, Frederik Luhulima, Edward Panjaitan, and Anika Widiana, explores the overall image of the EU in Indonesia. The next three chapters of the book are the result of comparative case studies, analyzing nine datasets from nine Asian countries, the most recent of which were provided by research groups from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Chapter 4, written by Martin Holland, briefly describes perceptions of the EU as a political and economic entity in East Asia, including Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Chapter 5, written by Natalia Chaban, presents perceptions of the EU's image in Asian countries, as reflected in the social, environmental, and development spheres. Chapter 6, written by researchers Lai Suet-yi and Natalia Chaban, compares perceptions and assessments of the ASEM process using results obtained from media analysis, public opinion, and the views of leaders in all nine Asian countries. Chapter 7, written by Peter Ryan and also the final chapter of the book, concludes with the key findings of a new research phase of the European Research Network in Asia (ESiA) project. This chapter also addresses issues such as how to study perceptions outside the EU and thus become a tool for clearly and understandably presenting policy between Asia and Europe as they develop dialogue.

It can be said that,the book“The EU through the Eyes of Asia Volume II: New Cases, New Findings”This project demonstrated an effective international spirit of scientific research cooperation among scholars and researchers from many Asian countries and territories such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam in collaboration with the National Centre for European Studies (NCRE) at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. For Vietnamese researchers, the study on the European Union in Vietnam showcased a harmonious and highly effective collaboration between members from Hanoi National University and Ho Chi Minh City National University, including experienced and young researchers – including doctoral and master's students. The project's completion coincided with the doctoral students preparing to defend their dissertations on European cultural identity and the master's students successfully defending their theses. At the same time, the fact that the research results of the project were printed and published by the world's leading prestigious publisher, World Scientific, is a remarkable and highly significant achievement for the researchers who worked tirelessly from 2007 to 2009. The book not only shows perceptions of the EU in each individual country but also provides a comprehensive picture of the EU in all nine Asian countries from a comparative perspective. This research result has immense significance for policymakers, citizens, and leaders of both continents, contributing to a better understanding of cooperation, prosperity, and development worldwide.