One of the requirements for an East Asian Community, the agreed objective of regionalism, is the formation of social networks that forge trust and a sense of common purpose and identity. China, Japan, and South Korea would appear to have a favorable foundation for such networks. Economic integration keeps booming. The number of tourists traveling between these countries keeps growing. Confucianism provides a common cultural foundation. An annual summit highlights trilateralism as a framework for regionalism. Yet, national identity gaps, distrust over security, and ethnic enclave tensions are interfering with community ties. They are linked to clashing conceptions of China’s centrality and of how its rise impacts regionalism.

• South Korean National Identity Gaps with China and Japan
  Gilbert Rozman, Princeton University
• Lacking Trust between Nations: South Korea’s Security Relations with Japan and China
  Leif-Eric Easley, Ewha University
• Inter-group Conflicts in Beijing’s Koreatown
  Sharon Yoon, Princeton University

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