ASEAN Centrality: Regional Stability Through Institutionalism in a Realist World Order
Abstract
Established during the peak of the Cold War, the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) is arguably one of the most successful regional organisation that has sustainably and consistently maintained mechanisms for promoting regional peace – the bloc has prevailed despite all odds and challenges. ASEAN member states (AMS) are often caught in between various internal and external threats - the most consequential of these challenges is the intensifying US-China rivalry where the South China Sea (SCS) has become a major flashpoint for both superpowers to secure their strategic interest. Associated tensions are escalated with China’s growing economic, foreign policy, and strategic interests in the region - deploying soft power diplomacy to ensure successful expansion of its sphere of influence. Increasing presence of Chinese militarization within AMS’ waters highlights Beijing’s continuous use of hard power approaches too. ASEAN’s role as a unifying mechanism for SEA nations has the construct to become a decisive and unified platform for representing member states in securing the interest of its community. The discourse presented in this paper includes analysis concerning the significance of ASEAN’s stance as a formal grouping of nations within the premise of securing AMS interest in SCS disputes with China. The intention of the analysis is to provide insights into the increasingly important decisive role of ASEAN as an institutionalism based instrument of peace and stability in the SEA.
Downloads
References
Acharya, A. (1997). Ideas, Identity, And Institution‐Building: From the ‘ASEAN Way’ to the ‘Asia‐Pacific Way'?, The Pacific Review, 10(3), 319-346. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09512749708719226
AMTI. (2018). A Blueprint for Cooperation on Oil and Gas Production in the South China Sea. Centre for Strategic and International Studies. https://amti.csis.org/a-blueprint-for-cooperation-on-oil-and-gas-production-in-the-south-china-sea/
AMTI. (2021). China’s Power Projection Capabilities at SCS. Centre for Strategic and International Studies. https://amti.csis.org/chinese-power-projection/
ASEAN. (2007). Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta. https://asean.org/storage/November-2020-The-ASEAN-Charter-28th-Reprint.pdf
ASEAN. (2020). Joint Communique of The 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta. https://asean.org/storage/2020/09/FINAL-Joint-Communique-of-the-53rd-AMM.pdf
Basu, P. (2021). In Deep Water: Current Threats to the Marine Ecology of the South China Sea. ORF Brief, 3(442), 1-25. https://www.orfonline.org/research/in-deep-water-current-threats-to-the-marine-ecology-of-the-south-china-sea/#_edn3
Baviera, A. (2003). The influence of domestic politics on Philippine foreign policy: The case of Philippines–China relations since 2001. Asian Politics & Policy, 2(4), 565–584.
Borton, J. (2015). Islands and Rocks in the South China Sea: Post-Hague Ruling. Xlibris US Press.
Buendia, R. (2020). ASEAN ‘Cohesiveness and Responsiveness’ and Peace and Stability in Southeast Asia. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/pdf/86377
Caballero-Anthony, M. (2022). The ASEAN Way and the Changing Security Environment: Navigating Challenges to Informality and Centrality. International Politics, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-022-00400-0
Chan, M. (2020, 31 May). Beijing’s Plans for South China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone Cover Pratas, Paracel And Spratly Islands. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3086679/beijings-plans-south-china-sea-air-defence-identification-zone
Chang, Y. (2021). ASEAN’s balancing act between China and the US: CMLV states’ perspectives. Journal of Asian Studies, 80(3), 455–478.
Chatterji, R. (2021). China’s Relationship with ASEAN: An Explainer. ORF Brief, 4(459), 1-20. https://www.orfonline.org/research/china-relationship-asean-explainer/
Choong, W. (2016, June 1). Why China's salami-slicing in South China Sea is bad news. The News Straits Times. 1 June. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/why-chinas-salami-slicing-in-south-china-sea-is-bad-news
Elina, N. (2017, January 10). At 50, ASEAN Cannot Afford a Mid-life Crisis. The New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/203175/50-asean-cannot-afford-mid-life-crisis
Grossman, D. (2020). Military Build-Up in the South China Sea. RAND Cooperation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68058.html
Haver, Z. (2020). Sansha and The Expansion of China’s South China Sea Administration. Centre for Strategic and International Studies. https://amti.csis.org/sansha-and-the-expansion-of-chinas-south-china-sea-administration/
Holmes, R.J. (2017). The Two Words That Explain China’s Assertive Naval Strategy. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/03/the-two-words-that-explain-chinas-naval-strategy-active-defense/
Kesavapany, K. (2011, March 1). ASEAN and the Cambodia–Thailand Conflict. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/03/01/asean-and-the-cambodia-thailand-conflict
Khoo, L. (2025, January 19). ASEAN FMS Hail Progress on South China Sea CoC, Seek to Expedite Process. BERNAMA. https://asean.bernama.com/news.php?id=2384458
Law, E. (2021, June 9). ASEAN, China foreign ministers discuss Covid-19, South China Sea and Myanmar. The News Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/asean-china-foreign-ministers-meet-discuss-trade-covid-19-myanmar
Lee, H. Y. (2020, July 24). Is ASEAN ready to stand up to China in the South China Sea? East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/07/24/is-asean-ready-to-stand-up-to-china-in-the-south-china-sea/
Lee, S., & Choong W. (2024, June 18). Southeast Asian Perceptions of China: Beijing’s Growing Power is Recognised, but Feared. ISEAS Perspective. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ISEAS_Perspective_2024_46.pdf
Lee, T., & Ho, S. (2025, January 21). Southeast Asian Elites Resist A China-Led Regional Order. East Asia Forum. https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/01/21/southeast-asian-elites-resist-a-china-led-regional-order/
Lendon, B. (2021, April 13). Beijing has a navy it doesn't even admit exists, experts say. And it's swarming parts of the South China Sea. Cable News Network (CNN). https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/12/china/china-maritime-militia-explainer-intl-hnk-ml-dst/index.html
Mahan, A. T. (1890). The Influence of Sea Power upon History: 1660–1783. Little, Brown & Company.
Mahbubani, K., & Sng, J. (2017). The ASEAN miracle: A catalyst for peace. NUS Press.
Mellisa, S. (2019, February 16). Why are tensions running high in the South China Sea dispute? South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/article/2186449/explained-south-china-sea-dispute
Moynihan, H. (2017). China’s Evolving Approach to International Dispute Settlement. Briefing: International Law Programme March 2017. Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/publications/research/2017-03-29-chinas-evolving-approach-international-dispute-settlement-moynihan-final.pdf
Navel, J. (2024, November 21). ASEAN’s Elusive Code Of Conduct for the South China Sea. East Asia Forum. https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/11/21/aseans-elusive-code-of-conduct-for-the-south-china-sea/
Nguyen, P.V. (2018). China's Planned Floating Nuclear Power Facilities in South China Sea: Technical and Political Challenges. Belfer Maritime Issues, 1(39). https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/chinas-planned-floating-nuclear-power-facilities-south-china-sea-technical-and
Patranobis, S. (2017, January 13). Chinese media warns of clashes with the US over South China Sea. The Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/chinese-media-warns-of-clashes-with-the-us-over-south-china-sea/story-RBc6bhUoyUA4et2xRj41iJ.html
Philips, T. (2016, July 12). Beijing Rejects Tribunal's Ruling in South China Sea Case. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/
PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2024, December 5). Keynote speech by Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi at the ASEAN China Forum 2024 [Press release]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/zwbd/202412/t20241218_11500970.html
Shoji, T. (2021). ASEAN’s Growing Concern About China’s Assertive Stance in the South China Sea. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation. https://www.spf.org/iina/en/articles/shoji_12.html
Snelder, J. (2014). Is China a realist power? The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-realist-power
Sviatko, M. (2020). ASEAN's Dilemma: China and Its South China Sea's Stance. Journal of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Social Sciences, 5(2), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.62458/jafess.160224.5(2)25-33
Tangen, O. (2020, May 26). Is China taking advantage of COVID-19 to pursue South China Sea ambitions? Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/is-china-taking-advantage-of-covid-19-to-pursue-south-china-sea-ambitions/a-53573918
Trang, P.N. (2019). ASEAN and The South China Sea: Vietnam’s Role as Chair. Centre for Strategic and International Studies. https://amti.csis.org/asean-and-the-south-china-sea-vietnams-role-as-chair/
Uren, D. (2020). Southeast Asia will take a major economic hit if shipping is blocked in the South China Sea. The Strategist. Australian Strategic Policy Institute. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/southeast-asia-will-take-a-major-economic-hit-if-shipping-is-blocked-in-the-south-china-sea/
Xuanzun, L. (2021, May 2). China's 2nd aircraft carrier group holds 1st drill in 2021 in S.China Sea, 'training for combat preparedness'. Global Times. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1222578.shtml
Zurairi. (2021, June 1). Malaysia to issue diplomatic note to China to protest against airspace intrusion. Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/ 2021/06/01/
