Regional integration in East Asia has been a hot topic lately. The region is diverse and includes countries like China and Japan. The authors look at why countries in East Asia are working together more closely, considering historical events like the Asian crisis in the late 1990s. They also talk about the roles of China and Japan in the region, as well as regional organizations like APEC and ASEAN. The authors compare East Asia's integration to that of the EU and NAFTA. They suggest ways for East Asia to keep growing and staying stable, like working together on trade and finance.