THE ROLE OF ASEAN COOPERATION IN REDUCING SOUTH CHINA SEA CONFLICT
Abstract
The issue of security among ASEAN countries has
always been an interesting phenomenon with many aspects
characterized by the complex interdependence between
domestic and foreign affairs. In particular, increasing
disagreements over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea
region involving ASEAN member countries such as Brunei
Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam disputes
arising from the South China Sea conflict have sparked
bilateral conflicts and inter-state disputes have raised fears of
possible outbreaks of military conflicts with China. This is
what prompted ASEAN countries to include regional security
issues into the official agenda of ASEAN. This study aims to
describe, explain and analyze the role of ASEAN Cooperation
in reducing South China Sea conflict. Indonesia is trying to
prevent haze from creating conflict between Indonesia and
Malaysia through discussion and negotiation. The role of
ASEAN in reducing the conflict is analyzed by using
qualitative approach. In this study, the theory used is conflict
transformation approach. The role of ASEAN effort in
reducing South China Sea conflict is by changing the bilateral
relation by China which China only wanted to do the
settlement or cooperation just with the conflicted countries and
by its preventive diplomacy is a success. Some of the
conflicted countries in ASEAN are now in cooperation and do
some agreements with China to strengthen and bound the
relation between countries. And make better development in
many aspects of governement both for ASEAN countries and
China.