Struggle Continues

If Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is not the place to talk about politics, it should be Association of Southeast Asian Nations to do that instead. In the meetings of ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the leaders of major countries tried hard to achieve positive sign from Southeast Asian nations. But, the summit diplomacy resulted in the exchange of criticisms. It should be a litmus test for ASEAN whether it can play active role in dealing with the interest of major powers.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed serious concern on the issue in South China Sea. “I seriously concern the fact that unilateral action of raising tension by changing status quo through major and rapid landfill still exists,” told Abe in the summit meeting of ASEAN+3 on Saturday. It was obvious for the parties that Abe indicated strong opposition against landfill by China in South China Sea. According to the staff of Abe, three leaders supported Abe’s opinion, requiring peaceful and lawful solution.

China is closely watching how Japan deals with the territorial issue in South China Sea. Following criticism against United States being involved in the interest in the region, China was focusing on Abe’s reference on a possibility to support military operation of U.S. around Spratly Islands in South China Sea. “Japan made aggression and occupied South China Sea in World War II. It needs to remember and regret history,” told a spokesman of Chinese government.

Balance inside Southeast Asian nations is changing. Having been neutral on the territorial dispute in South China Sea, Indonesia is getting frustrated with the advance of China to the southern part of the sea. China unilaterally drew the nine-dash line to assert its territorial interest in South China Sea. Economic exclusive zone of Natuna Islands, Indonesia, overlaps the area surrounded by the line. Indonesia changed its policy and sent seven vessels to the islands this month. “Any action inviting tension needed to be finished immediately,” told Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, in the ASEAN Summit.

ASEAN has kept on talking with China about establishing rules for the actions of interested countries with legal bindings. However, China is reluctant on making “rules,” which may restrict its activities in the region. Southeast Asian nations know well about the consequence of supporting United States, which may lead to deterioration of cooperative economic relationship with China. Although ASEAN Summit declared the establishment of ASEAN Community at the end of this year, integration as an independent multi-national community is still full of uncertainty.