This study examines the record of French and EU interactions with China, Japan and Vietnam in the areas of economic exchanges, political security relations and human rights to establish if there has been a trend of converging 'European' politics and collective European conceptions of interest and identity. It argues that the utility and impact of EU institutions on French foreign policy behaviour is more significant than is commonly imagined or admitted, and that foreign policies of EU member states tend over the long term towards convergence.

'...a stimulating and thought-provoking book. The case studies on the EU, China, Japan, and Vietnam stand alone as examples of vigorous comparative policy analysis.' - International Studies Review

'This volume is a welcome addition to the literatures of Europeanization and of French foreign policy. In the case of Europeanization, there is always scope for detailed demonstration of the process at work; in the case of France, new empirical evidence of French action in parts of the world not traditionally associated with French influence here, Japan and China is valuable, particularly given the revival of French interest in Asia in the twenty-first century; this is Wong's starting point.' - European Foreign Affairs Review

Autorentext
Reuben Wong is Director of Studies, College of Alice & Peter Tan, and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore. He was First Secretary at the Singapore Embassy in Paris from 1995 to 1998. Dr Wong is a Council Member of the Singapore Institute for International Affairs and Liaison Officer for Antonians in Singapore and Malaysia.

Inhalt
List of Maps and Tables List of Grid Tables Abbreviations Preface PART 1: INTRODUCTION PART 2: FRENCH AND EU OBJECTIVES IN EAST ASIA: WHICH AFFECTS WHICH? French Objectives in East Asia The European Union's Objectives in East Asia Interplay between French and European Foreign Policies PART 3: CHINA: A GAULLIST PARTNER? Trade and Investment Relations Political and Security Relations Human Rights Conclusions PART 4: JAPAN: BEYOND FASCINATION AND SUSPICION Economic and Trade Relations Political-Strategic Relations Human Rights Conclusions PART 5: VIETNAM: RELATIONS PRIVILEGIEES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA? Trade and Aid Political-Security Objectives Human Rights Conclusions PART 6: CONCLUSION Appendices Notes Bibliography Index