The Role of ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific towards China’s Coercive Policies in South China Sea Dispute
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The South China Sea is a vital geopolitical and economic region, serving as a major international trade route, a rich source of marine and energy resources, and a focal point of territorial disputes. The overlapping sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, particularly between China and ASEAN Member States (AMS), have intensified regional tensions, with China’s coercive policies shaping the strategic environment. In response, ASEAN introduced the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in 2019 to promote regional stability, inclusivity, and adherence to international law. While AOIP emphasizes ASEAN’s centrality in shaping the Indo-Pacific order, its effectiveness in countering China’s assertive actions remains a critical issue. This study examines the role of AOIP in responding to China’s coercive policies in the South China Sea dispute, utilizing the framework of strategic hedging. The research aims to analyze how ASEAN countries leverage AOIP as a diplomatic and strategic framework to balance relations with China while maintaining regional autonomy and stability.
Methods: This study uses a qualitative research approach through a comprehensive analysis of secondary sources, including books, journal articles, government documents, and international news reports. By utilizing the strategic hedging framework, the research investigates ASEAN’s strategic responses to China’s maritime assertiveness, assessing AOIP’s role in mitigating tensions and maintaining regional order. Data collection involves filtering relevant literature and policy documents to understand ASEAN’s diplomatic positioning and engagement with major powers. The research also explores ASEAN’s historical interactions with China and evaluates how AOIP provides a platform for member states through the geopolitical complexities of the Indo-Pacific.
Results: The results revealed that ASEAN’s AOIP plays a limited but on the other hand, a strategic role in response to China’s coercive policies in the South China Sea. Despite ASEAN’s internal divisions and lack of a supranational authority, the AOIP serves as a diplomatic platform for negotiation and regional stability. However, it lacks a concrete mechanism to counter China’s aggression. ASEAN member states, prioritizing national interests, have adopted a hedging strategy—balancing economic ties with China while safeguarding territorial integrity. This study shows that though AOIP cannot solve the problem or dispute directly, it remains a key tool in helping ASEAN to manage regional tensions and uphold its relevance in Indo-Pacific security.
Application of this study: ASEAN can use the AOIP to strengthen diplomatic ties with both China and the United States of America, creating a space for negotiation that helps reduce the risk of conflict and promotes regional security. By balancing relations with China while safeguarding their own territorial interests, ASEAN countries can manage their complex relationships with China, particularly in the South China Sea. Additionally, ASEAN can shape international rules on maritime security and territorial disputes by continuing to develop the AOIP. This action could help set global norms for resolving conflicts like those in the South China Sea. AOIP can also be used to promote mediation, trust-building, and cooperation, helping to reduce tensions and promote long-term peace in the region.
Conclusions: This study examined the role of ASEAN’s AOIP in responding to China’s coercive policies in the South China Sea. AOIP reinforces ASEAN’s commitment to regional peace and security while balancing the influence of major powers like China and the United States of America. Through a hedging strategy, ASEAN nations try to maintain economic ties with China while safeguarding their territorial interests. Although AOIP does not directly resolve disputes, it serves as a diplomatic platform for negotiation and conflict mitigation. Despite challenges in achieving a unified stance, AOIP remains a crucial tool for helping ASEAN reduce regional tensions.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
ASEAN. (2019). ASEAN Outlook on The Indo-Pacific. Retrieved 22 February 2021, from https://asean.org/asean-outlook-indo-pacific/.
ASEAN Briefs. (2019). ASEAN and Indo-Pacific: Beyond the Outlook. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://www.habibiecenter.or.id/img/publication/e6046e0b1b2a3b367653955508bd71f7.pdf
ASEAN-China Center. (2020). ASEAN-China Relations. Retrieved 4 February 2021, from http://www.asean-china-center.org/english/202003/4613.html#:~:text=China%20has%20remained%20ASEAN's%20top,ASEAN%20and%20China%20reached%20USD236.
Aziz, S. N. A., & Basir, S. M. (2022). South China Sea: ASEAN Mechanism on Maritime Disputes and the Rise of Indo Pacific Region. The Journal of Territorial and Maritime Studies, 9(2), 65-82.
Baviera, A. S. (2014). China-U.S.-ASEAN Relations and Maritime Security in the South China Sea. United States: Wilson Center.
BBC. (2015). China 'building runway in disputed South China Sea Island'. Retrieved 25 February 2021, form https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32331964
Chase, M. S., & Purser, B. (2015). China’s Airfield Constructions at Fiery Cross Reef in Context: Catch-Up or Coercion? Centre for Strategic & International Studies. Retrieved 27 February 2021, from https://amti.csis.org/chinas-airfield-construction-at-fiery-cross-reef-in-context-catch-up-or-coercion/
Ciorciari, J. D., & Haacke, J. (2019). Hedging in International Relations: An Introduction. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 19(3), 367-374. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcz017
Cox, M. (2018). China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur: Cimb ASEAN Research Institute.
Cronin, P., & Others. (2012). Cooperation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea. Retrieved 27 February 2021, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep06426?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents.
David, S. R. (1991). Explaining Third World Alignment. World Politics, 43(2), 233-256.
Dolven, B., & Others. (2015). Chinese Land Reclamation in the South China Sea: Implications and Policy Options. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 25 February 2021, from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44072.pdf
He, K., & Mingjiang, L. (2020). Four reasons why the Indo-Pacific matters in 2020 | Oxford University Press. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://blog.oup.com/2020/02/four-reasons-why-the-indo-pacific-matters-in-2020/.
Heiduk, F., & Wacker, G. (2020). From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific Significance, Implementation and Challenges. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/from-asia-pacific-to-indo-pacific/
Hoang, T. H. (2021). ASEAN Navigates Between Indo-Pacific Polemics and Potentials. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2021-49-asean-navigates-between-indo-pacific-polemics-and-potentials-by-hoang-thi-ha/
Hunt, L. (2014). ASEAN All at Sea Over China Spats. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/asean-all-sea-over-china-spats
Ikeshima, T. (2013). China’s Dashed Line in the South China Sea: Legal Limits and Future Prospects. Retrieved 3 February 2021, https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144455129.pdf
Institute for Global Dialogue. (n.d.). The Involvement of the United States of America in the South China Sea Dispute. Retrieved 24 February 2021, from https://www.igd.org.za/infocus/11496-the-involvement-of-the-united-states-of-america-in-the-south-china-sea-dispute
Keller, G. (2020). ASEAN Centrality and Indonesian Leadership in a Contested Indo-Pasific Order. Security Challenges, 16(3), 21-26.
Kim, J. (2015). Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea: Implications for Security in Asia and Beyond. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 9(2), 107-141.
LaFond, E. C. (n.d). South China Sea. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/place/South-China-Sea.
Li, J. J. (2017). ASEAN and the South China Sea: Approaches to Resolving the Conflict. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2752
Mastro, O. S. (2021). Military Confrontation in the South China Sea. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://www.cfr.org/report/military-confrontation-south-china-sea
McDevitt, Michael. (2014). The South China Sea: Assessing U.S. Policy and Options for the Future. Retrieved 4 February 2021, from https://www.cna.org/archive/CNA_Files/pdf/iop-2014-u-009109.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. (2019). Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Question. Retrieved 20 February 2021, from https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/PressStatements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2019/08/05-Aug_Min-Written-PQ-Reply.
Singh, B., & Tjseng, H. (2020). ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific: Seizing the Narrative? | RSIS. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/asean-outlook-on-indo-pacific-seizing-the-narrative/#.YBzkO-gzbDd
Simões, L. (2022). The Role of ASEAN in The South China Sea Disputes. Retrieved 5 February 2021, from https://www.e-ir.info/2022/06/23/the-role-of-asean-in-the-south-china-sea-disputes/
Sothirak, P., Murg, B. J., & Pich, C. (2023). Asean’s Outlook on The Indo-Pacific and U.S.-China Rivalry. Cambodia: Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.
Stashwick, S. (2016). New Weapons on China’s Artificial Islands Don’t Violate ‘Non-Militarization’ of South China Sea. Retrieved 19 February 2021, from https://thediplomat.com/2016/12/new-weapons-on-chinas-artificial-islands-dont-violate-non-militarization-of-south-china-sea/
Stiles, K. W. (2018). Trust and Hedging in International Relations. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9750852
Tuan, T. A. (n.d.). Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific: Mixed Opportunities and Challenges from Connectivity Strategies. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://www.kas.de/documents/288143/10822438/
Panorama_2019_02_4c_v5d_ToAnhTuan.pdf/bb017d3b-c195-681c-c5a3-19054947fec5?t=1606102327617
US Energy Information Administration. (2013). South China Sea. Retrieved 2 February 2021, from https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/regions-of-interest/South_China_Sea.
Wang, Y. (2021). Hedging Strategy: Concept, Behavior, and Implications for China-ASEAN Relations. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 01(02). https://doi.org/10.1142/s2737557921500121
Walt, S. M. (1987). The Origins of Alliances. New York: Cornell University Press.
Weissmann, M. (2010). The South China Sea and Sino-ASEAN Relations: A Study in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building. Asian Perspective, 34(3), 35-69.
Xie, Y. (2016). The South China Sea Needs ASEAN More Than Ever. Retrieved 4 February 2021, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/south-china-sea-needs-asean-more-ever
Xinhua. (2015). China’s Military Strategy. The Information Office of the State Council. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/white_paper/2015/05/27/content_281475115610833.htm.
Xilian, H. (2019). Building Stronger ASEAN-China Relations in New Era. Retrieved 3 February 2021, from https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2019/11/02/building-stronger-asean-china-relations-in-new-era.html
Yahuda, M. (2012). China’s Recent Relations with Maritime Neighbors. The International Spectator, 47(2), 30-44.
Zhang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2013). ASEAN in China’s grand strategy. Retrieved 4 February 2021, from https://www.eria.org/ASEAN_at_50_4A.9_Zhang_and_Wang_final.pdf
