Which of the following statements regarding ASEAN is correct?

(A) ASEAN was established in 1967 by five countries-Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(B) It was established by signing the Bangkok Declaration.
(C) The objectives of ASEAN were primarily to accelerate economic growth and through that 'social progress and cultural development'.
(D) The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1997.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(B) and (C) only

The correct answer is Option (1) → (B) and (C) only

(A) ASEAN was established in 1967 by five countries-Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Incorrect). It was founded in 1967 by five countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines (not Vietnam).
(B) It was established by signing the Bangkok Declaration. (Correct)
(C) The objectives of ASEAN were primarily to accelerate economic growth and through that 'social progress and cultural development'. (Correct)
(D) The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1997. (Incorrect). The ASEAN Regional Forum was established in 1994, not 1997.