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oundtable • non-claimant perspectives on the south china sea
Emphasize the nonsecurity aspects of U.S. involvement. Washington
must stay the course on the Asian rebalance, especially the economic pillar
with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The expansion of U.S. resources
and focus in the Asia-Pacific equips the United States with the range of tools
needed to secure its interests in the maritime domain and beyond. Through
lowering barriers and setting common regulatory standards, a ratified TPP
agreement will further trade liberalization and promote economic growth
on terms that are consistent with U.S. values. Beyond ratification, U.S.
diplomatic efforts must be refocused on the hard work of expanding TPP
membership to include those states that are eager to accede and willing to
open their markets in good faith. Outside the economic sphere, there are
many other global governance problems that require better cooperation
with Asia, all of which represent opportunities for win-win engagement:
preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change, building capacity
for humanitarian activities and disaster relief, promoting financial stability,
and creating the conditions for sustained economic development.
Ensure that all claimant and non-claimant states support a common
message. A key diplomatic challenge will be convincing all regional nations,
including non-claimant members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), that they have an interest in promoting the peaceful
settlement of the South China Sea disputes. The goal of U.S. diplomacy
should be to convince the less-engaged parties, such as Malaysia and
Indonesia, that if Chinese assertiveness is not deterred in these disputes,
these states may find themselves standing apart from their ASEAN friends
when their own critical interests are challenged in the future. To promote
this message, U.S. diplomatic efforts should support regional defense and
economic cooperation through arenas such as the ASEAN Regional Forum
and the Shangri-La Dialogue, as well as other Track 1.5 and Track 2 events.
Additional regional cooperative security measures, such as the successful
Malacca Strait Patrol initiated by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore,
should receive the full support of the U.S. military.
U.S. strategists should also look beyond Southeast Asia to explore
how the United States’ other naval partners could supplement this
message. Japan, for example, clearly sees a stake in preserving freedom of
navigation in the South China Sea. It has clear economic interests and can
potentially support the region by cooperating with Southeast Asian states in
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Australia likewise understands
its reliance on maritime rights and has shown a seriousness in renewing
its ability to challenge restrictions on naval operations. Two unknowns are
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