Lessons 17–18 · 2 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
18
The countries of Southeast Asia, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 81–84
GoalExplain the development of Southeast Asian states after 1991 and the role of ASEAN.
New words
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, founded in 1967 · ASEANthe 1997 Asian financial crisis · 1997-yilgi Osiyo inqirozia referendum, a vote of the people on one question · referendumthe Rohingya crisis, the 2017 flight of hundreds of thousands of people from Myanmar · Rohinja inqirozi
Explanation
ASEAN was founded in 1967; Vietnam joined in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, Cambodia in 1999, and Timor-Leste became the eleventh member in 2025. Vietnam began its “Đổi Mới” (“renovation”) policy in 1986 and in the 1990s opened the way wide to private enterprise and foreign investment; in Cambodia, after the Paris peace agreements of 1991, UN-supervised elections were held in 1993. The financial crisis that began in Thailand in 1997 shook the currencies and economies of several countries. In Indonesia, Suharto, who had ruled for many years, resigned in 1998, and elections and more rights for regions followed. In East Timor independence was restored after the 1999 referendum, and the state became fully independent in 2002. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit Indonesia’s Aceh province among the hardest. In Myanmar the army took power in 2021, and in 2017 the mass flight of Rohingya Muslims drew international attention. On the South China Sea China does not accept the 2016 arbitration ruling, while the Philippines and other parties base their claims differently.
Worked examples
ASEAN: members consult on regional cooperation, trade and security; decisions are usually made by consensus under the principle of non-interference in members’ internal affairs.
Vietnam: after the “Đổi Mới” reforms begun in 1986 the country moved to a market economy while the Communist Party stayed in power – farmers received long-term land-use rights and private firms were allowed; the country became one of the largest rice exporters.
Class activity
Find ASEAN’s 11 members on a map and divide them into mainland and island states; for each group name one example with its main economic sector.
Practice
1
In which year was ASEAN founded and how many members does it have (2025)?
In 1967; 11.
2
When did Vietnam’s “Đổi Mới” policy begin and what did it change?
In 1986; market reforms began and private enterprise and foreign investment were allowed, while political power stayed with the Communist Party.
3
How did East Timor reach independence?
Through the 1999 referendum; fully independent in 2002.
4
Why is there no single view on the South China Sea?
Several states make overlapping claims; China does not accept the 2016 arbitration ruling.