Organisation studying political, economic, and social developments in Asian countries. Part of the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies. Emphasis is on People’s Republic of China which obtains most attention, followed by Japan, Korea and the countries of Southeast Asia. Areas of interest include: interregional, multinational and international relations in East and Southeast Asia; regional economic cooperation in East and Southeast Asia; chances and limits of economic cooperation between the Federal Republic of Germany and selected Asian countries. See also separate entry under GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.