By Ben Schreer and Sheryn Lee
The elevated relationship sends a clear message to China.
At the 3rd ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur, both sides elevated their relationship to the “ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership.” While “strategic partnerships” abound in the Asia-Pacific, this one is symbolically important for several reasons. It comes amidst growing tensions over China’s assertive behavior in the South China Sea (SCS). Two ASEAN states, the Philippines and Vietnam, are engaged in fierce territorial claims with China. Moreover, Indonesia and Malaysia are increasingly concerned about China encroaching on their maritime sovereignty. And Beijing’s massive “land reclamation” activities in the SCS has all too clearly demonstrated to Southeast Asian littoral countries that China seeks to change the regional security order with blatant disregard for their strategic interests and sovereignty.
China’s challenge to Southeast Asia’s order has put considerable stress on ASEAN. Primarily designed to deal with economic and political issues rather than questions of hard power and security, ASEAN runs a real risk of being “divided and conquered” by China, whose large checkbook seems particularly irresistible for smaller, land-locked members. Beijing’s participation in “ASEAN plus” forums has also provided it with the power to veto criticism of its maritime behavior. For instance, the recent ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting’ Plus (ADMM Plus) in early November ended without a joint declaration after China blocked a push by some ASEAN nations, the United States, and Japan to include concerns over the SCS.
Against this background, the conclusion of the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership can be seen as sending some clear messages to China. Hitherto largely unthinkable, the relationship agenda with the U.S. now not only includes security issues but the joint statement also implicitly acknowledges the critical role played by Washington in upholding the principles of the regional security order. It states that both sides are “committed to a rules-based approach in Asia, respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.” It also emphasizes “ASEAN Centrality in the evolving rules-based architecture of the Asia-Pacific” and reaffirms “the importance of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring maritime security and safety, and freedom of navigation including in and over-flight above the South China Sea.” Finally, it stresses the resolution of disputes in “accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat