ðɪ ˈiːɛk wʌzɐ ɹɪˈækʃən tʊ ˈæsiən ˌɪntᵻɡɹˈeɪʃən ˌɪntʊ ˈeɪpɛk baɪ mˈæhɐθˌɪɹ, hˌuː ɪz nˈoʊn fɔːɹ hɪz stɹˈɔŋ pˈænˈeɪʒən stˈændpɔɪnt.
The EAEC was a reaction to ASEAN's integration into APEC by Mahathir, who is known for his strong Pan-Asian standpoint.