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Chapter 3
Expanding Chinese Interests in ASEAN
Introduction
T he economic interdependency restraining influence on its actions. Implications to ASEAN
ASEAN and China will commemorate
where economic exchange
encourages good relations
th
in 2021. China is looking forward for a
among states makes war obsolete. the 30 anniversary of its bilateral relations
Therefore, contrary to the general consensus among the 10-member countries Evolving Geo-Strategic Matrix in South China Sea:
perception, many Western scholars do to expand their cooperation and drive their
not view the rise of China as a threat to the partnership to a new level. It is up to
regional countries of ASEAN. Conversely, ASEAN states to decide whether they
they are optimistic that China’s rise will bring are willing to advance the relationship
a bright future for Asia Pacific region. to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.
This argument is built on the notion that This potential arrangement is being
any untowardly actions by China will considered despite regional maritime
affect its economic prowess, making it a territorial disputes in South China Sea. 15
Overview of Maritime Territorial Disputes
and Implications
Maritime Territorial Disputes rich fisheries. The traditional high seas
freedoms of navigation in South China Sea
China’s assertion of its rights to also makes the matter further complex
a huge area of the South China Sea has and extra regional. ASEAN and other regional
directly put it against the Philippines, affected states have significant collective
Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The interests in terms of seeking a peaceful
main issues are particularly over their rights regional order which significantly goes
to exploit the region’s potentially vast beyond the territorial disputes among
underwater oil and gas resources and its the ASEAN States itself. 23
23 John J. Mearsheimer, “The Gathering Storm: China’s Challenge to US Power in Asia,” Chinese Journal of
International Politics 3, no. 4 (Winter 2010):
