Stakeholders in stability

ASEAN and China should seek to build greater mutual trust and a consensus on the benefits of deepened cooperation

China's engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is considered as one of the most enduring and active relations among that of all the partners of the association. The evolution of this engagement has passed through noticeable changes, from no relations before the end of the Cold War, fed by mutual suspicions, to an active push for official diplomatic relations with the entire ASEAN after the 1990s, driven by their strategic complementarity.

In the present-day context, ASEAN and China view one another as a backyard neighborhood and thus agree that cooperation is vital to the stability and prosperity of the region.

There are different motivations for this collaboration. For Southeast Asian countries, economic incentives are the predominant driver as these countries want to ride the wave of China's development. As for China, Beijing sees strong incentives to strategically engage with ASEAN to safeguard its core national interests against possible external threats and tap the region's rich natural resources to rejuvenate China.

There have been plentiful opportunities created in Sino-ASEAN relations since China became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1991, received the status as a full dialogue partner in 1996 and established a strategic partnership with the association in October 2003. ASEAN accorded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership status to China and Australia at their respective summits in October 2021.

The level of interdependence between both sides has increased to a higher level and China also proactively engages in the multilateral frameworks of ASEAN such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN Plus Three Summit, and the East Asia Summit, which has significantly helped to reduce tensions and security threats in the region. As a result, Sino-ASEAN relations have contributed to peace and stability in the region along with economic development. And both sides are now reaping extensive benefits from their ever-expanding cooperation.

Nonetheless, there are also challenges embedded in Sino-ASEAN relations. The rise of China is seen by some ASEAN countries as a threat to the bloc, particularly in the areas of security and geopolitical domination. Beside the asymmetrical differences in term of size and sphere of influence, China is determined to secure its core national interests and there is ongoing anxiety among ASEAN member countries that tensions in the South China Sea over territorial and sovereignty disputes could lead to conflicts without proper resolutions. Some ASEAN members engaging with external powers to balance the rise of China is also leading to rising tensions in the South China Sea.

To reap the ongoing blooming partnership between ASEAN and China, both sides must contend with the repercussions of the political fragmentation of the world order and simmering flashpoint issues. Both sides should view their relations from the proper perspective of being credible stakeholders in global and regional peace and stability.

The way forward for the Sino-ASEAN partnership should be for both sides to continue to enhance and build confidence and mutual trust under a norm-based regional order, to improve the global trust deficit and the return of a stable international order.

ASEAN and China should nurture a common position that is aligned with the community-based visions of the ASEAN community and China's Global Development Initiative. This can be achieved through joint efforts by focusing on people-centered development and development problems.

ASEAN and China should strive to become symbols of hope for a stable and peaceful region, open regionalism, and an inclusive multilateral framework of cooperation, as led by regional cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and China. They should advocate the importance of continuously building the spirit of international collaboration through the adaptation of balanced approach that takes into consideration the differing demands and concerns of diverse countries, with the view to realizing common security for all. They should establish a common rules-based framework with a set of norms that not only favors their respective national interests but also the interests of all other countries in the global context.

As China aspires to always be ASEAN's good neighbor, good friend and good partner, Beijing should assist the regional bloc to remain the most effective institution outside of the Western world. In addition, the ASEAN way fits well with China's regional initiatives that are designed to encourage economic as well as political and security cooperation. For China, ASEAN remains a key player in the regional security architecture and is considered a positive force in Asia-Pacific affairs. A united, independent, strong, and growing ASEAN is in the best interest of China.

The outlook for Sino-ASEAN relations rests upon the ability of both sides to ensure that the opportunities created thus far can further motivate greater cooperation and synergy to increase the tangible benefits for both sides to enjoy. By further deepening mutual trust, instilling more confidence, and cooperating to establish a better strategic environment, ASEAN and China can look forward to building a community with a shared future and realizing a "diamond decade "for their relationship.

The author is former minister of industry, mines and energy of Cambodia (1993-98) and a retired academic and distinguished senior advisor to the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.