TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Commentary: Hailing ASEAN'€™s united stance against China in SCS disputes

China crossed the Assocation of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) line on Monday when one of its senior diplomats was perceived as having tried to dictate to the regional grouping about discussing the South China Sea (SCS) issue during its annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week

Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Thu, August 6, 2015

Share This Article

Change Size

Commentary: Hailing ASEAN'€™s united stance against China in SCS disputes

C

hina crossed the Assocation of Southeast Asian Nations'€™ (ASEAN) line on Monday when one of its senior diplomats was perceived as having tried to dictate to the regional grouping about discussing the South China Sea (SCS) issue during its annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week.

In an interview with Reuters on Monday, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the disputed South China Sea should not be discussed during the ASEAN-hosted meetings and that countries outside ASEAN should not interfere.

'€œIt should not be discussed,'€ said Liu. '€œThis is not the right forum. This is a forum for promoting cooperation. If the US raises the issue we shall of course object. We hope they will not.'€

It was a clear message of interference for China'€™s smaller neighbors, despite that nation'€™s commitment to an amicable solution to the dispute, including by establishing an effective and workable code of conduct for the territory.

It is undeniable that all 10 members of ASEAN are very dependent on China'€™s economy and that the giant country has greatly contributed to the economy of the region. It is also understandable that China is still learning the ropes in flexing its economic muscle, globally and regionally. Both ASEAN and China are learning together how to behave as mutually beneficial neighbors.

However, such a blunt statement in Kuala Lumpur is reminiscent of what China achieved during the ASEAN annual summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in December 2012. At that time Prime Minister Hun Sen took advantage of his position as the host to block the regional grouping from making any tough statement on the South China Sea in their joint declaration. He pleased China at the cost of the organization, which had previously helped the nation end its prolonged civil war.

It was a huge humiliation for the regional leaders and Indonesia has vowed that such a blatant betrayal of ASEAN'€™s fundamental spirit should not happen again.

In a very clear response to China'€™s demand to its host, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said on Monday that ASEAN would include the South China Sea conflict in its agenda of the Annual Ministerial Meeting (AMM), which is followed by the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), in Kuala Lumpur this week.

'€œIt [the South China Sea issue] will be discussed tomorrow [Tuesday],'€ Retno said as quoted by Kompas in Kuala Lumpur. On this occasion ASEAN seems to have adopted a bold stance.

The annual meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers are often, if not always, overshadowed by the presence of its dialogue partners, such as the US, China, Japan, Russia, Australia and the two Koreas, who are invited to attend Asia'€™s largest security forum, the ARF, and other gatherings hosted by ASEAN.

China claims most of the South China Sea, while Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei are also claimants, along with Taiwan. Indonesia so far does not have any dispute with China in the area, but it is probably only a matter of time before China expands its claim to the waters of the Indonesian Natuna Islands.

Rising tension has clearly accelerated an arms race in the region because it is unavoidable that major powers such as the US will get further involved to protect its allies or strategic partners. Many countries have shown their growing concern over security in the South China Sea passage.

In blunt terms China'€™s demand could be described as outrageous because no matter how powerful China or other dialogue partners are, this weekend'€™s meeting in Kuala Lumpur is hosted by ASEAN.
Of course the regional grouping has an obligation to respect its guests and make them feel comfortable during their stay, but ASEAN is '€œin the driving seat'€ '€” as former Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda put it '€” meaning passengers should not bother the driver.

When the foreign ministers host the ARF, scheduled for Thursday, it will be a very good opportunity for the participants to discuss strategic security problems, including the South China Sea conflict. It will be a heated forum, where the US and China are expected to attack each other. Meanwhile Japan will also raise the East China Sea dispute.

Retno has rightly responded to China'€™s demand in a non-confrontational way. China is also fully aware that the most effective way to resolve the dispute is through negotiation rather than military force. Liu'€™s harsh public statement does not necessarily reflect Beijing'€™s final position either.

Nonetheless, telling ASEAN what sensitive issues it may or may not discuss in its own meetings is beyond the pale.

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.