How can ASEAN and China build an enduring institutional framework from this victory?

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ASEAN and China can build an enduring institutional framework through deepened institutional coordination, economic reform, and infrastructural coherence.

The crackdown on cross-border scam centers along the Myanmar border, resulting in over 48,000 suspects being detained or extradited, offers a foundation for ASEAN and China to establish a more robust institutional framework. This initiative is not merely a security success but a significant step towards reaffirming moral order and promoting legitimate wealth creation over systemic corruption. To solidify this progress, a three-pronged approach focusing on enhanced coordination between law enforcement agencies, transparent reforms in digital trade and the digital economy, and strengthened physical connectivity is essential. These elements are crucial for restoring and maintaining economic trust, which is fundamental to effective ASEAN-China cooperation.
Deepening Institutional Coordination and Law Enforcement Synchronization

To create an enduring institutional framework, institutional coordination between ASEAN and China must be significantly deepened. This involves implementing real-time intelligence sharing and synchronizing law enforcement efforts across the region. A key mechanism for achieving this would be to link ASEAN's Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) with China's Public Security Bureau. Such a connection would enable more precise tracking of scam networks, financial fraud, and cross-border money laundering activities, moving beyond reactive measures to proactively anticipate emerging criminal trends in the digital age.
Fostering Transparency in Digital Trade and Economic Reform

Economic reform within the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) is critical, with a particular emphasis on ensuring transparency in digital trade. This necessitates expanding the free trade area to encompass regulatory oversight of the digital economy, fintech systems, and cross-border tax enforcement. Without institutional accountability, economic openness can inadvertently foster the resurgence of illicit shadow economies. As digital platforms and e-commerce continue to connect millions, their design must prioritize ethical conduct and fairness to safeguard the integrity of transactions.
Enhancing Physical Connectivity Through Infrastructure Coherence

The third pillar for building an enduring framework is infrastructural coherence, which involves strengthening physical connectivity across the region. Projects such as the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the ASEAN Trans Railway Network (ATRN) serve as the tangible infrastructure to support sustained economic vitality. The APG facilitates the exchange of renewable energy and stabilizes supply, while the ATRN aims to connect major economic hubs. When combined with a transparent digital trade regime, these infrastructure projects will foster an integrated system of power, goods, and trust throughout ASEAN and China.

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How can ASEAN and China build an enduring institutional framework from this victory?

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