The Birth of the EAS was inspired by former PM Mahathir of Malaysia. APT recommending established a report of the East Asian Vision Group (EAVG). The evolution of the APT into an East Asia summit as a long-term objective was expedited by Malaysia and supported by China. In terms of security cooperation, EAS could help as it is also a forum for strategic dialogue. Its membership includes all the big powers in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, making it an important venue in the management of major power rela7ons • It is interesting to note that the size of EAS is larger than APT but smaller than ARF. EAS is a summit-level meeting attended by heads of states unlike the ARF which is a ministerial-level meeting attended mainly, but not solely, by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.