Asean tilting too far towards China
CAN these nations maintain unity in the face of China’s growing influence in the military and economic spheres? Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have been left with significant issues to deal with.
Asean recently held a summit meeting in Singapore. The chairman’s statement said the association “took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders” on the situation in the South China Sea, where China is strengthening its military footprint. Asean has reinstated this phrase.
The chairman’s statement issued at the summit meeting held in November 2017 omitted the usual expression mentioning these “concerns” in accordance with the wishes of the Philippines, which chaired the meeting. It is appropriate that this excessively conciliatory line towards China has been rectified.
The South China Sea situation is growing more serious. China has installed military jamming equipment on man-made islands it built in the sea. A Chinese ship even rammed and sank a fishing vessel from Vietnam, which is locked in a dispute with China over sovereignty of islands in the sea. It is obvious Beijing aims to encircle the sea and claim it for itself.
The Asean chairman’s statement quite rightly pointed out that China’s actions have “increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region”.
Of course, expressions of “concern” alone cannot prod China to exercise self-restraint. It will be essential for Asean and China to quickly conclude a code of conduct for activities in the South China Sea and to apply legally binding rules.
It is worrying that leaders in Malay- sia, Cambodia and elsewhere have strengthened their political base with the backing of Chinese economic assistance and cracked down on opposition parties and the media.
The growing reach of China’s diplomatic strategy, which prioritises economic cooperation and does not interfere in the human rights situations of partner countries, has worsened divisions in Asean and impeded its ability to function properly.
Asean has a role as a partner in the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” championed by Japan and the United States. Both Japan and the United States must enhance their engagement in Asean to put the brakes on its increasing tilt towards China.
On the issue of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape persecution, Asean failed to offer any concrete plans for the return of these refugees. It is obvious that standing idly by for the reason of “not interfering in domestic politics” only exacerbates this humanitarian crisis.
On the economic front, the statement expressed support for a multilateral free trade system.
A total of 16 nations – including Asean members plus Japan, China and South Korea – are seeking the swift conclusion of a regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) in East Asia. These nations need to close gaps on issues such as tariff elimination rates.
The prospect that Thailand will join the new Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement signed by 11 nations including Japan and Australia can be welcomed as a curb on US protectionist moves. Building a wide array of such frameworks should be promoted.