Leaders of 16 Asian nations meets in Thailand

This weeks news article does not have to do only with Thailand but in a historical meeting of 16 Asian countries in Thailand. These countries met to discuss ways of increasing economic growth in their countries, and not serve as countries that merely aid Western countries in producing goods and services. The countries including Thailand, India, and China, focused on strengthening central markets, and liberalize regional trade. There goal is to no longer have to rely on the West to purchase their products. Others results of the conference was the launch of Southeast Asia's first human rights watchdog,improved disaster management, and talks on military ruled Myanmar (heavily criticized for its human rights violations). The hopes of the 16 Asian countries is to eventually take down all trade barriers and overcome the current economic crisis, and several natural disasters in the region.

I think that the idea of these 16 Asian countries getting together and thinking of a new plan to better their economic conditions is great. Although their progress will probably be very slow, and will probably take a lot of effort from all the nations, it will be worth it once they can compare themselves economically to the western countries they are so dependent on right now. I also think that coming together is especially a good idea for these Asian countries with all the recent natural disasters that have been hitting their countries within the last year.

source
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_13637996?nclick_check=1