Final answer:
In 2010, China formed a free trade area with the ten ASEAN member countries, enhancing economic integration in Southeast Asia. ASEAN aims to boost economic growth, peace, and cooperation within the region, thereby increasing national wealth and living standards. The correct option is d. China.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding ASEAN and Its Free Trade Agreements
In 2010, China formed a free trade area with the ten countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This move was part of a growing trend in Asia, reflecting the region's commitment to economic integration and collaboration similar to that seen in the European Union (EU) and other regional trade blocs such as NAFTA and MERCOSUR. The establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) sought to increase ASEAN's competitive edge as a production base in the global market. This was due, in part, to the desire of nations in Southeast Asia to accelerate economic growth, promote regional peace and stability, and collaborate more closely on economic matters.
ASEAN, which had its beginnings in the 1960s with five initial member countries, has expanded over the decades to include more member states, advocating EU-style integration within Asia. The nations that make up the ASEAN group have always been interconnected, with sea routes historically proving more reliable than overland travel for commerce and communication in this region laden with forests, mountains, and thousands of islands. With China's entry into a free trade agreement with ASEAN, the economic dynamics of the region received an additional boost, encouraging globalization and economic cooperation among its members.
The correct option for the country that formed a free trade area with ASEAN in 2010 is China, which is denoted by option d. This alliance has contributed to the overall objective of ASEAN, which is to propel economic growth and secure peace within Southeast Asia, allowing member nations to utilize their labor and resources more efficiently, thereby augmenting their national wealth and augmenting living standards for their populations.