ASEAN officially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union of 11
member states in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates
economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration between its members and
countries in the Asia-Pacific. The union has a total area of 4,522,518 km² and an estimated total population
of about 668 million as in 2022.
ASEAN's primary objective was to accelerate economic growth and through that social progress and
cultural development. A secondary objective was to promote regional peace and stability based on the rule
of law and the principles of the UN Charter. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world,
ASEAN has broadened its objective beyond the economic and social spheres. In 2003, ASEAN moved along
the path similar to the European Union (EU) by agreeing to establish an ASEAN community that consists of
three pillars: the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-
Cultural Community.
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ASEAN regularly engages other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. A major partner of UN
SCO, PA, GCC, MERCOSUR, CELAC, and ECO, ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue
partners and is considered by many as a global powerhouse, the central union for cooperation in Asia
Pacific, and a prominent and influential organisation. It is involved in numerous international affairs an
hosts diplomatic missions throughout the world. The organisation's success has become the driving forc
of some of the largest trade blocs in history, including APEC and RCEP.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. General introduction of ASEAN
B. ASEAN as a political and economic union
C. ASEAN and countries in Asia-Pacific region
D. The cooperation between ASEAN and countries in Asia-Pacific
2. The objectives of ASEAN are mentioned in
A. the first paragraph B. the second paragraph
C. the third paragraph D. all of the three paragraphs
3. ASEAN community was established in a similar way to
A. UN B.APECC. EU D. RCEP