Strengthening Sovereignty: Indonesia, Malaysia, And The Philippines’ United Front In South China Sea – Analysis
The South China Sea, a critical maritime corridor abundant in natural resources vital for global trade, has long been a locus of overlapping territorial claims. In recent years, China's assertive expansion of its “Nine-Dash Line”/“Ten-Dash Line” has markedly escalated disputes, presenting strategic dilemmas for neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.
For Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, incursions by Chinese maritime forces threaten not only economic interests and national sovereignty but also regional stability. This essay posits that a united stance, founded on regional cooperation and strategic alignment, is essential to counter China's expanding influence. By establishing a trilateral coalition within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), these countries can bolster their collective security, reinforce their territorial claims, and promote regional stability, thereby ensuring adherence to international law in the South China Sea.
The Problem of Disunity: China’s Expanding Claims and ASEAN’s Challenges
China's assertive territorial claims articulated through the 'Nine-Dash Line,' encroach upon exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and waters historically associated with Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Each of these nations has experienced regular incursions by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels, disrupting economic activities and exacerbating tensions. Notably, Chinese vessels have increasingly violated Indonesia's Natuna waters, Malaysia's EEZ, and the Philippines' maritime boundaries surrounding the Spratly Islands.
These unilateral incursions jeopardise national sovereignty and pose risks of militarisation, potentially creating flashpoints that could precipitate broader conflicts. Despite facing shared threats, responses from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have remained disjointed. Diverging levels of dependency on China, in conjunction with contrasting foreign policy orientations, have contributed to this fragmented approach. For example, Indonesia has sought to balance its non-alignment policy with economic engagements with China, whereas Malaysia and the Philippines have oscillated between diplomatic caution and overt condemnation of Chinese activities.
This lack of cohesion has diminished the collective leverage required for effective deterrence, enabling China to exploit divisions within ASEAN. Although ASEAN possesses mechanisms for addressing regional security concerns, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, its consensus-based decision-making process restricts its efficacy as individual member states often prioritise national interests over those of the region.
Implications for Sovereignty, Security, and Regional Stability
China’s territorial claims and persistent incursions significantly undermine the sovereignty of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, thereby posing considerable economic and security risks. The South China Sea is home to substantial stocks of fish, as well as oil and gas reserves, which are crucial to the economies of these nations.
For example, fisheries are essential for supporting local livelihoods, while the potential for oil and gas exploration could enhance energy security. However, China’s unauthorised activities threaten these vital resources, thereby impeding economic stability.
Security concerns are equally pressing. The presence of Chinese vessels in contested waters is frequently accompanied by an assertive military posture, which intensifies the risks of conflict escalation. Such militarisation not only challenges national sovereignty but also contributes to regional destabilisation as the likelihood of military confrontation rises. Moreover, the unresolved disputes in the South China Sea have broader geopolitical implications, inviting external intervention from global powers such as the United States, which has committed to conducting freedom of navigation operations. This involvement further complicates regional dynamics and heightens the potential for superpower rivalry in Southeast Asia, thereby placing additional strain on regional peace.
Proposed Solutions: Forming a Trilateral Coalition for Unified ASEAN Action
A unified response from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines is essential for upholding regional security and maintaining the rule of law in the South China Sea. Establishing a trilateral coalition within ASEAN, provisionally termed the South China Sea Coalition (SCSC), could serve as a strategic framework for these countries to address shared challenges. Such a coalition would facilitate intelligence sharing, coordinated maritime patrols, and joint exercises, thereby communicating a strong message of regional unity and deterring Chinese encroachments.
Furthermore, reinforcing these countries' claims through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a crucial legal foundation. Although the Philippines previously secured a landmark UNCLOS ruling against China in 2016, enforcement has been limited. By collectively endorsing this ruling and submitting joint declarations to UNCLOS, the coalition can amplify international recognition of their rights, thereby strengthening their legal position. This approach underscores that China's historical claims lack a legal basis, contributing an additional layer of deterrence and a means for garnering global support.
ASEAN's diplomatic framework remains vital in this context. Leveraging ASEAN’s role as a multilateral platform enables Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to engage with other ASEAN members and foster broader consensus. By advocating for a code of conduct in the South China Sea, the coalition can assist ASEAN in adopting a more unified stance, thus enhancing the organisation’s credibility as a regional security actor. Within ASEAN, the coalition can address the structural limitations posed by consensus-driven decision-making by pushing for alignment on critical issues, even when achieving consensus proves challenging.
Implementation Strategy: Long-Term Cohesion and Defence Capacity
A robust implementation strategy will necessitate regular trilateral consultations and collaborative maritime security efforts among Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. High-level diplomatic meetings should be institutionalised, creating a forum for strategic alignment and intelligence sharing. This approach ensures that each country remains responsive to developments and can effectively coordinate its response.
Joint patrols and military exercises will serve as visible displays of solidarity and practical mechanisms for deterring further Chinese incursions. A structured agreement on shared patrol responsibilities, coupled with unified surveillance efforts, will enhance maritime monitoring and demonstrate an assertive regional defence posture. The development of a coordinated messaging strategy is also essential. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines should jointly articulate their commitment to peaceful resolution and rule-based maritime governance, aligning with global norms to reinforce their position internationally. By promoting transparent communication, these countries can mobilise public support within ASEAN, illustrating that regional sovereignty is a collective responsibility.
Potential Obstacles and Mitigation Strategies
Achieving a unified response necessitates the navigation of substantial obstacles, including economic dependencies on China and the intrinsic structural limitations of ASEAN. China continues to be a principal trade partner for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines; thus, the potential for economic repercussions may inhibit the adoption of a resolute stance. To address this challenge, diversifying economic partnerships and reinforcing intra-ASEAN relations while promoting intra-ASEAN trade could diminish reliance on Chinese markets.
This shift would afford these nations greater autonomy in policy decisions. Furthermore, ASEAN's consensus model presents another challenge. The coalition might advance informal agreements among ASEAN members regarding South China Sea policies without requiring unanimous assent. This semi-formal approach could promote stronger commitments while adhering to ASEAN's fundamental principles, thereby facilitating a balanced and unified response to shared security concerns.
Conclusion
Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines confront a collective threat in the South China Sea that necessitates coordinated action to uphold sovereignty, stability, and rule-based governance. By forming a South China Sea Coalition, these countries can attain a more assertive regional posture, safeguarding their territorial claims and economic resources. The role of ASEAN is essential, as it provides a multilateral platform that can elevate the coalition’s stance within a broader regional context. Through the adoption of a unified approach, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines can enhance their security, bolster ASEAN’s credibility, and support the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
Recommendation
To progress, the South China Sea Coalition should prioritise the establishment of regular diplomatic and defence meetings, the development of shared maritime patrol frameworks, and the submission of joint legal declarations to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). By aligning its initiatives within ASEAN and adhering to international legal frameworks, this coalition can formulate a cohesive strategy that reinforces ASEAN's collective voice, thereby ensuring that Southeast Asia remains a stable, rule-governed region despite ongoing challenges from external powers.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.
References
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- Kaplan, R. D. (2014). Asia’s Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific. Random House.
- Storey, I. (2017). South China Sea Dispute: Rising Tensions, Increasing Concerns. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
- Valencia, M. J., & Hong, N. (2018). Maritime Cooperation in the South China Sea: International Norms and Regional Order. Springer.