While ASEAN nations have expressed concern regarding China’s policy towards the region, especially on the South China Sea issue — they have been careful not to criticise China, lest Beijing get offended.
Author
Tridivesh Singh Maini, Assistant Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
Several ASEAN nations have expressed concern regarding the deterioration of China-US ties in recent years. Countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia which share robust economic ties with both Beijing and Washington have reiterated that they would not like to take sides, given their geographical location and robust economic ties of ASEAN nations with both Washington and Beijing. Malaysian PM, Anwar Ibrahim, known for his pro-west leanings in the past while speaking in a press conference on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference being held at Melbourne (Australia), referring to Malaysia’s ties with the US and China: “So while we remain an important friend to the United States and Europe and here in Australia, they should not preclude us from being friendly to one of our important neighbours, precisely China.”
While ASEAN nations have expressed concern regarding China’s policy towards the region, especially on the South China Sea issue — they have been careful not to criticise China, lest Beijing get offended.
The only country, other than Vietnam, which has been vocal in its criticism of China’s behaviour in the South China Sea has been the Philippines.
Current Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, has been unequivocal in his criticism of China on the South China Sea issue. While commenting on the collision between the Philippines and a Chinese ship in the South China Sea, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said: “We worry in the Philippines because it could come from, not a strategic decision by anyone saying, ‘OK, we’re going to war,’ but just by some servicemen making a mistake, or some action that’s misunderstood.”
Published in: The Rise
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