ASEAN MARITIME REGIME: DEFUSING SINO-US RIVALRY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Abstract

The ASEAN is once again at the forefront of a
super power rivalry this time between the US and China with
the South China Sea as its setting. While it has been
maintained that the ASEAN is not a military-security
organization, former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas
said the ASEAN was created in August 1967 on account of
the shared national objectives and goals of its members
against the evolving strategic development in East Asia
(Severino, 2006). Against the increasing security dilemma in
the South China Sea among the claimants and the threat of
a Sino-US power rivalry, a change in the characterization of
the region’s security outlook from a military definition to
comprehensive security is essential. This refers to
interdependence and cooperation in economic development,
scientific research and a general enhancement of human
interactions. Accordingly, military might alone does not
define security nor generate long-term peace (Valencia
2000). The establishment of an ASEAN-led maritime regime
against piracy could initiate the foundation to finding a
resolution to the South China Sea disputes and encourage
cooperation and mutual understanding in Sino-US rivalry
in the region.