The Chinese have created an Arab Policy Paper, which sets out some of its goals in the region. Beijing also seeks to act as a peace-maker and possible arbiter in the Middle East.

Drawing upon the lessons of region-building efforts elsewhere, this paper calls for a greater emphasis in Australian foreign policy on community building in Asia. It explores the challenges of building a stronger ‘community’ in the Asia-Pacific, using a ‘comparative regionalism’ approach. The report outlines five strategies for policymakers.