The EAEC was a reaction to ASEAN's integration into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) by Dr. Mahathir, who is known for his strong Asian standpoint. His suggestion apparently articulated his dissatisfaction with ASEAN joining APEC, which includes Western nations, an idea he was strongly opposed to. Therefore, EAEC was basically an APEC without North America and Australia. Nevertheless, it was never put into action officially. Recently the ASEAN+3 rounds might be called the successor of EAEC, which prompted Malaysia to state that EAEC was a reality. In 2005, due to Japan's support of the agreement, ASEAN Plus Three (ASEAN+3 or APT) agreed to include Australia, New Zealand, and India during the East Asia Summit.