section_path: Foreign relations/Relations with other blocs/ASEAN Plus Six
section_name: ASEAN Plus Six
paragraph_text: ASEAN Plus Six
  
  ASEAN Plus Three was the first of attempts for further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia with East Asian countries of China, Japan and South Korea. This was followed by the even larger East Asia Summit (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand. This group acted as a prerequisite for the planned East Asia Community which was supposedly patterned after the European Community (now transformed into the European Union). The ASEAN Eminent Persons Group was created to study this policy's possible successes and failures.
  
  The group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of the Asia–Pacific 's economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy. Codification of the relations between these countries has seen progress through the development of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free-trade agreement involving the 15 countries of ASEAN Plus Six (excluding India). RCEP would, in part, allow the members to protect local sectors and give more time to comply with the aim for developed country members.
  
  India temporarily does not join the RCEP for the protection of its own market, but Japan, China, and ASEAN welcomes India's participation.
  
  Taiwan has been excluded from participating with the organization owing to China's influence on the Asia–Pacific through its economic and diplomatic influence.