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Chapter 4
Analysis and Recommendations

Recommendations

Based on the forgoing contents of the supporting strategy, following recommendations
are made: -

1. The role of China in South China Sea may not be seen from the prism of negativity,
Implications to ASEAN
rather it may be viewed as a gateway of opportunity for the region, with prospects
of engagement with an economic powerhouse.
2. ASEAN member nations may not take particular sides with China or the US (or Quad)

in the region to dispel big power competition in the region.

3. The ASEAN member states may put off their territorial claims in the region and start
to hedge with both China and the US for the collective stability of the region.
4. Hedging with the US may accrue technological advantages for the developing nations

of ASEAN, especially in the field of defence and other research and development.
Evolving Geo-Strategic Matrix in South China Sea:
5. Hedging with China may provide economical impetus for the ASEAN members by
38 revitalizing RCEP trade agreements etc. With China’s economical stakes in the region,
it will dissuade it from militarization of South China Sea.

6. Hedging with both US and China may provide freedom of navigation in SLOCs, combined

fishing rights and indirectly provide geo-strategic stability for ASAEN member nations.
7. Hedging with the US and China may open new avenues of cooperation between
US and China, which may indirectly bring stability in the region. This stability may

open areas of cooperation in COVID vaccine inoculation, anti-piracy, human and

drug trafficking, environmental degradation and climate change etc.
8. Hedging with both US and China may induce cooperation between the two powers,
which may open dialogue opportunity on areas of conflict, while ensuring roles of

both US and China in the region.

9. This hedging will limit the role of peripheral nations of ASEAN region (Japan, India,
Australia) from an active role and provide ASEAN member states an opportunity to
develop the region mutually with the help of China and US.

10. Engagement with the US and China may be done individually or collectively with

ASEAN forum in the loop, in order to accrue maximum benefits to the region.