自冷戰結束後，區域化便成為與全球化同樣重要的世界性現象。至於在東亞地區，連結鄰近國家組成的次區域經濟區（Sub-regional EconomicZones, SREZs），也成為推動區域整合發展的重要元素。儘管如此，多數推動合作的相關倡議與努力都未能真正成功，只有諸如新柔廖成長三角（the Singapore-Johore-Riau, SIJORI），以及大華南經濟圈（Greater South China Economic Zone, GSCEZ）等少數幾個例證略有進展，更甚者，前述幾個發展個案的進展與冷戰終結或全球化亦未必有密切相關。本文的目標在於回答下列問題：多數計畫為何不那麼成功？究竟哪些區域主義比較容易成功？甚麼是東亞次區域主義得以運作的關鍵因素？在此，本文首先將由理論層次來檢視次區域經濟區的發展，探討國家如何思考加入區域合作的問題，然後設法針對不同（成功與較不成功）個案進行比較。基本上，儘管私部門的角色絕不能被忽略，但國家的政治考慮依舊是區域主義發展的最重要癥結所在。

Since the end of the Cold War, regionalisation processes have arisen in a
world experiencing globalization. In East Asia, the Sub-regional Economic
Zones (SREZs), involving links between segments of neighbouring states, were seen as a great opportunity for promoting mutual regional economic
development. However, most projects have failed to perform, and only two
SREZs - the Singapore-Johore-Riau (SIJORI) and Greater South China Economic Zone (GSCEZ) - can be considered successful in the region; even
these two SREZs developed without close relations to the end of the Cold War and the continuing trend towards globalization. The objective of this article seeks to find the reasons why such seemingly plausible projects have not been successful. What kinds of regionalism succeed or fail? What are the key factors that could make sub-regionalism in East Asia work? This article first looks at SREZs in the theoretical context, which emphasizes on the significance of relative gains for states in participating cooperation, and then compares the experiences of both successful and unsuccessful SREZs. It argues that the political commitment of governments is more crucial as a facilitating factor for
regionalism, although the importance of private sector cannot be denied.