Mô tả
This paper will argue that the strategic factor has become most significant and has overshadowed the others. The dispute is becoming integrated with wider strategic issues relating to the Western Pacific affecting both China and the US. The strategic significance of the South China Sea has been elevated by China’s rising naval power and its need for open access to the Malacca straits and the Pacific. As China develops its anti access and sea denial strategy the US is obliged to make a stand to defend its strategic position in the area. ASEAN’s choices in this situation are limited for as long as it remains divided and unable to develop a consensus on how to respond. The longer these divisions persist within ASEAN the greater the likelihood that it would be overwhelmed by events which would place the future of the area in the hands of the great powers.
The paper was presented at conference "Prospects of Cooperation and Convergence of the Issues and Dynamics in South China Sea", May 31, 2011, Jakarta, Co organized by Centre for Asian Strategic Studies - India
