Jakarta, IO – Annual foreign ministers’ meetings focusing on East Asian cooperation were successfully held in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 11 to 14. The international community closely observed the discussions and outcomes of these meetings, which covered a wide range of topics and resulted in the passage of over ten documents. Notably, the Joint Statement on the 20th Anniversary of China’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the guidelines on expediting the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) garnered significant attention.
The South China Sea issue has consistently been a primary concern for ASEAN and its member states, attracting interference and sensationalism from certain non-regional countries. However, this year’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting exhibited rational and pragmatic discussions on the topic.
The Joint Communique of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting peace in the South China Sea, but did not adopt a confrontational stance against China, contrary to what some Western media outlets had anticipated. This stark contrast is noteworthy, considering the assertions made by the United States and Japan before the meeting, stating their intention to align with ASEAN and challenge China on maritime security and the South China Sea issue.
Importantly, China and ASEAN made notable progress in their discussions on the COC, working together on the second reading of the single draft COC negotiations texts. Additionally, they formulated guidelines to facilitate the timely achievement of an effective and substantive COC, bringing them one step closer to finalizing the document.
The fact that the South China Sea issue was pragmatically and effectively addressed at the meetings, rather than becoming a source of dispute, speaks volumes about the steady and sound development of the China-ASEAN relationship.
There are three key reasons why the issue was handled in such a pragmatic and appropriate manner at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Firstly, both sides share a common desire to maintain stability in the South China Sea and transform it into a region characterized by peace, friendship, and cooperation. This objective aligns with the interests of China, ASEAN countries, and their people, as reflected in the Joint Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) released during the 25th ASEAN-China Summit.
It signifies that China and ASEAN have, to a certain extent, reached a consensus on the vision for the South China Sea. Neither party wishes to see non-regional countries intervene and turn the region into an arena for their strategic pursuits or a battleground for major power competition.
Secondly, China supports ASEAN’s “dual track approach” to address the South China Sea issue, demonstrating its genuine commitment to working with ASEAN toward a mutually-agreeable solution. China has consistently advocated a “dual track approach,” which entails direct negotiations among the countries involved to resolve disputes, while simultaneously promoting stability in the region through cooperation between China and ASEAN member states. This approach aims to prevent the escalation and expansion of disputes and discourage non-regional countries from interfering and exacerbating conflicts.
Thirdly, the continuous development of the China-ASEAN relationship, characterized by deepening economic interdependence and expanding people-to-people exchanges, has fostered a strong friendship between the two sides. They have stood together, offering mutual support and assistance throughout the three-year-long pandemic, embodying the essence of true friendship.
Economically, China and ASEAN have maintained their positions as each other’s largest trading partners for many consecutive years. ASEAN serves as an important source of foreign investment for China, while China ranks as ASEAN’s fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment. Mutual investment has played a significant role in driving economic and social development in both regions. Their economic complementarity and win-win cooperation have further strengthened their bond.
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Furthermore, China actively engages in and firmly supports the regional cooperation architecture centered on ASEAN, recognizing its importance in ensuring long-term peace and stability. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi openly acknowledged China as an essential partner in ASEAN’s pursuit of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Given the escalating challenges faced by the region, cooperation between China and ASEAN has become increasingly critical.
Clearly, as long as both sides remain committed to the correct path of developing their relationship and continue to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN, they will establish a solid foundation for achieving their shared goal of transforming the South China Sea into a sea characterized by peace, friendship, and cooperation.
Raihan Ronodipuro is a Master’s Degree student in the School of Public Policy & Management at Tsinghua University, China. Previously, he was awarded the Chinese MOFCOM Scholarship and earned a Master of Law in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University in China. He serves as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Politics and Security at the Center for Indonesia-China Studies (CICS). He is presently a member of the International Relations Commission at the Directorate of Research and Studies for the Overseas Indonesian Students’ Association Alliance (OISAA) 2022/2023.