The Philippines has upheld international law on the South China Sea. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared that the 2016 Arbitral Award “is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon.”
Is a small, peace-loving country with constraints in its capabilities, in the face of a big power’s blatant disregard for good neighbourhood policy condemned to accept such behaviour?
Is Malaysia’s preference for quiet diplomacy in the South China Sea dispute sustainable? The numerous challenges and limited options it faces in responding to China suggests a need for reassessment for the long-term.
While stopping short of a full-fledged balancing act, Indonesia’s recent attempts to consolidate support for UNCLOS put a check on China’s revisionist challenges in the South China Sea.
The complexities of the South China Sea issue require Southeast Asian states to develop strong, persistent policies. These should entail all “what-ifs” including the withdraw of the US and its allies from the South China Sea.
This foreword launches the five-part “Tensions in the South China Sea” series. The series, featuring esteemed writers, aims to provide greater understanding of this complex issue.
Despite the Indonesian government’s good intentions to ensure the well-being of fallen submariners’ families, these initiatives demonstrate a need for well-established social security schemes for TNI personnel.
