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propos the excellent proposal by Kip Keino ('€œProtection of China Sea islands'€, The Jakarta Post, Feb. 5); it is important to mention that the way China has been trying to spread its hegemony and dominance in South and Southeast Asia needs to be severely condemned. If China does not wish to respect any international rules, regulations and protocols and the sovereignty of its neighbors, ASEAN should unite and give a clear signal to the Chinese authorities that the covert approach of China in occupying the South China Sea is not acceptable and heavily contested.

Any disputes in maritime trade routes, exclusive economic zones, islands, islets or archipelagoes cannot be settled on Chinese terms using threats and by flexing military muscle; but rather in negotiations following democratic norms and international guidelines in a friendly and cooperative environment. Without working on trust or confidence-building measures pushing for settlement will only add to unrest, disability and antagonism in the entire South China Sea region.

ASEAN has always worked toward peace, stability, economic empowerment and democratic values since its formation. If China continues to be a consistent threat to the region, ASEAN should have a discussion on developing an outline for countering Chinese threats in the region.

Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge, Canada