Beijing and Manila must stand down in South China Sea

The tension in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines has the potential to damage the overall Asean-China relationship and the potential for Asean’s further integration. The past month has seen bad news as far as the future of Asean-China cooperation is concerned because the two claimants in the oil and gas rich maritime territory are at each other’s throats, with their tough rhetoric and military machinery on standby. 

Such long-drawn-out tension and brinksmanship is actually very rare in the history of Asean-China relations. If it is allowed to continue, it could create more uncertainty, as anything can happen on the high seas, far away from the seats of power.

Asean and China must work out an effective plan to cool the tension and pave the way for future peaceful resolution of the maritime disputes, which – in various places – involve Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines, China and Taiwan. 

All sides should meet in the near future to thrash out their differences over the proposed Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. For the time being, though, there has not been any consensus on whether to have China sitting in the same meeting rooms as Asean delegates. 

The Asean countries prefer to complete an agreed list of elements for the Code of Conduct before they go to negotiate with China. Beijing, however, has appealed to Asean for early discussions and inclusion in the process. After all, whatever Asean agrees to, will need to get the green light from China.

Asean is racing against time and is trying to reach a consensus among its members that have maritime claims. But it was clear from the recent Phnom Penh summit that Asean is divided on the issue of the South China Sea disputes. All Asean members realise that China is one of the grouping’s most important dialogue partners, but they also must show solidarity against China on this issue. For the past decade, the disputes in the South China Sea have continued, and not much progress has been made, even though both sides have conducted numerous talks. 

Growing frustration in both Manila and Hanoi is understandable. In the past two years, the disputes have been discussed and reported widely by the media because of the major powers involved. The US has said that safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea are its main concern, but it remains neutral on the territorial claims, it reiterated. 

As a key ally of the US, the Philippines has played up its security link with the US, which has rattled the rest of Asean. That helps to explain why Manila has not received much support from the rest of Asean. Vietnam has so far been more measured in its approach, even though it will not relinquish its claims and will push hard for a fair settlement with China.

The best way out for Asean and China is to ensure that the Code of Conduct is completed and approved by the end of this year. This will help reduce tension and pave the way for more talks. It will not end the disputes soon, but it will keep the conflict manageable. At the very least, the Code of Conduct will allow all concerned parties to sit down and cooperate with each other on issues that do not relate to overlapping claims and national sovereignty. That is a win-win situation in the current circumstances.