Abstract
Against the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness on sovereign and strategic interests in the South China Sea, territorial disputes in this resource-rich sea area have re-emerged among the claimants, including some ASEAN members. Vietnam in particular has been increasingly concerned about China’s expanding physical presence and assertive, sometimes aggressive, actions to manage natural resources. Vietnam strives to check China’s rise not by “containing” the country using military options, but to place the issue on the agenda of ASEAN-centered multilateral dialogue frameworks and achieve a breakthrough by making use of the collective diplomatic power of ASEAN, and as appropriate, the engagement of countries outside the region. Furthermore, Vietnam endeavors to strengthen its hedging against the rise of China by carefully forging closer ties with the US. The Philippines, too, increasingly views China’s movements with caution, and is reinforcing its ASEAN-centered diplomatic activities as well as promoting security cooperation with the US. In contrast, Malaysia has not made any notable moves other than modernizing its naval capabilities. Indonesia, as the ASEAN Chair in 2011, was proactive in conducting multilateral talks by hosting a series of ASEAN-related meetings. ASEAN members are expected to continue to pursue multi-dimensional diplomacy toward the peaceful settlement of disputes. The challenge will be how ASEAN will be able to maintain its unity.
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