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Experts urge progress on South China Sea dispute
Dialogue must proceed and maritime governance must be established as soon as possible. Many international relations researchers have highlighted a military build-up in the Asia Pacific.
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In this March 29, 2014 file photo, a Chinese Coast Guard ship attempts to block a Philippine government vessel as the latter tries to enter the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea to relieve Philippine troops and resupply provisions. (AP/Bullit Marquez)
M
aritime governance and dialogue are the keys to a peaceful settlement of the South China Sea dispute, experts have agreed during the sixth seminar on Indonesian-Chinese bilateral relations hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA).
“If China and Indonesia can have more dialogue, we can handle the South China Sea [dispute],” said one of the speakers.
The seminar was conducted under Chatham House Rule, meaning The Jakarta Post cannot attribute arguments or opinions to its sources. The Rule aims to foster a free discussion between participants.
Bilateral dialogue would be easier [than multilateral negotiations], since Indonesia was not a claimant, as opposed to other ASEAN countries, one speaker said.
A framework for maritime cooperation between the affected countries has been established both globally and regionally through the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea dispute.
“The framework is there, the problem is how we implement the existing arrangements,” said one speaker.
Dialogue must proceed and maritime governance must be established as soon as possible. Many international relations researchers have highlighted a military build-up in the Asia Pacific, by both claimant countries in the South China Sea and external parties with interests in the region.
China has been one of the most aggressive, drawing harsh criticism for building military bases on reclaimed islands in the area.
The experts predicted that potential escalation in the South China Sea would happen between 2030 and 2040, after countries including China have completed their own military modernization. The balance of power in the region will change, leading to regional destabilization and even conflict. (dmr)
