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De-centrality of ASEAN Law to Address US-china Rivalry in the South China Sea

Abstract

Evolving Southeast Asian geopolitics offer opportunities and risks. Central to the global East-West sea route of communication and rich in land and sea resources, this region has been a geopolitical hub since ancient times. The key question is whether China's strategic actions weaken US-ASEAN relations and impact regional powers. This highlights the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) importance in regional stability. This study employed qualitative research that collected data through descriptive, analytical, and case studies. ASEAN is facing challenges in effectively handling the rivalry in the Indo-Pacific area. ASEAN has the capability to manage uncertainty within the area. Nevertheless, the "power dilemma," particularly when significant powers want to alter the circumstances, is unavoidable. The South China Sea Arbitration altered the dynamics of territorial sovereignty. Failure to resolve the territorial dispute may jeopardize the cohesion of ASEAN and have repercussions for all its member states. ASEAN law or legal mechanism, namely ARF, ADMM, Declaration of Conduct, Code of Conduct and UNCLOS faces challenges due to a lack of coherence and a central guiding principle. It is inevitable that influential forces will meddle in regional affairs. These findings imply that ASEAN's law role in integrating Southeast Asian nations and establishing positive international cooperation and strategic partnerships is vital for successfully balancing disruptive forces. ASEAN deploys hedging and enmeshment methods to ensure dynamic alignment possibilities and make strategic adjustments easier when opposing big powers maneuver. Relevant analysis strongly suggests that ASEAN, a regional stability instrument, can influence Sino-US competitiveness.

Bahasa Abstract

Perkembangan geopolitik Asia Tenggara menawarkan peluang dan risiko. Sebagai pusat jalur komunikasi laut Timur-Barat global dan kaya akan sumber daya darat dan laut, wilayah ini telah menjadi pusat geopolitik sejak zaman kuno. Agresi Tiongkok di wilayah tersebut mengingatkan kita pada Perang Dingin, ketika Tiongkok rela mempermainkan Uni Soviet melawan AS. Kekhawatiran regional yang timbul dari militer dan ekonomi Tiongkok mungkin melemahkan tatanan internasional. Potensi ini menunjukkan semakin berkurangnya ketergantungan kawasan terhadap AS dan meningkatkan kekhawatiran akan keamanan. Pertanyaan kuncinya adalah apakah tindakan strategis Tiongkok melemahkan hubungan AS-ASEAN dan berdampak pada kekuatan regional. Hal ini menyoroti pentingnya Perhimpunan Bangsa-Bangsa Asia Tenggara (ASEAN) dalam stabilitas regional. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian kualitatif yang mengumpulkan data melalui deskriptif, analitis, dan studi kasus. Temuan-temuan ini menyiratkan bahwa peran ASEAN dalam mengintegrasikan negara-negara Asia Tenggara dan membangun kerja sama internasional yang positif serta kemitraan strategis sangat penting untuk berhasil menyeimbangkan kekuatan-kekuatan yang mengganggu. ASEAN, sebagai platform multilateral dan negara-negara anggota sebagai kebijakan bilateral, menerapkan metode hedging dan enmeshment untuk memastikan kemungkinan keselarasan yang dinamis dan membuat penyesuaian strategis lebih mudah ketika menentang manuver negara-negara besar. Analisis yang relevan secara kuat menunjukkan bahwa ASEAN, sebuah instrumen stabilitas regional, dapat mempengaruhi daya saing Tiongkok-AS.

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