US-ASEAN cooperation in the face of regional security challenges.

(Baonghean) - On September 30th and October 1st, the US Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of ASEAN countries held an informal meeting in Hawaii, USA. Following the ASEAN-US Special Summit in Sunnylands in February 2016, this was the second important meeting between the US and ASEAN within a year, demonstrating the special interest of both sides in cooperating to ensure regional security.

Defense Secretary Amy Aston Carter affirmed that the U.S. will continue to pursue its "pivot" policy. Photo: Diplomat.

The South China Sea Highlight

During the meeting, the US Secretary of Defense and ASEAN countries discussed various regional security issues such as piracy, terrorism, and natural disasters, but the greatest concern was ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. This concern stems from the current escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where several ASEAN countries have sovereignty disputes with China, especially as China accelerates illegal construction on artificial islands on several reefs and shoals, as well as militarization activities in the South China Sea. China's actions are considered to be creating a major challenge to regional security.

According to Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, countries need to seek practical solutions to ease tensions. Although Singapore does not have territorial claims in the South China Sea, its national interest in the region lies in ensuring the smooth and safe flow of goods by sea and air.

Mr. Ng Eng Hen argues that maritime incidents may not involve military vessels, as navies have established protocols governing the conduct of parties in the event of encounters at sea. However, the potential risk increases between fishing vessels or civilian ships of different countries.

In response to this concern, the US and ASEAN defense ministers discussed ways to prevent escalating tensions should an incident occur, including establishing direct communication channels, organizing multilateral forums to discuss the dispute, and seeking solutions to resolve the dispute.

The Singapore Defence Minister's viewpoint received broad support from the ministers participating in the meeting, because the South China Sea is an extremely important maritime trade route for the world, and a rules-based order in the South China Sea plays a crucial role in regional security and economic prosperity.

To keep the shipping lanes in the South China Sea open and safe, US Defense Secretary Aston Carter emphasized that the US military would “disregard China’s unreasonable claims in the South China Sea” and would continue to maintain a presence in the waters and airspace surrounding the islands claimed by China.

In particular, at the meeting, the US side put forward an initiative for “a comprehensive and principled security network.” “This network will help us uphold the principles for resolving disputes peacefully, ensuring that countries can freely make their choices without external pressure, and guaranteeing freedom of navigation and overflight in the region in accordance with international law,” Mr. Carter said. The US also plans to share issues on maritime security, especially cooperation between naval and coast guard forces, at the maritime dialogue next year.

The US will continue its presence in the seas and airspace where China makes its baseless territorial claims. Photo: AFP.

Whether Clinton or Trump, America is still "pivoting."

According to experts, this meeting in Hawaii demonstrates the US commitment to Southeast Asia in its rebalancing policy in the Asia-Pacific, similar to the commitment made by the US at the special summit in Sunnylands in February. Before the ASEAN defense ministers, US Defense Secretary Aston Carter reiterated: “There will be many more opportunities for cooperation, and we assure you that our presence in the region will remain strong during the next presidential term.”

The economic and security importance of the Asia-Pacific region is the most crucial factor driving the US's continued rebalancing strategy, regardless of who succeeds Barack Obama in the White House. In this strategy, ASEAN is seen by the US as a "rebalancing within a rebalancing." Economically, with the establishment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the role of the Asia-Pacific region, including ASEAN, will become even more important in US policy.

Furthermore, with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, a unified ASEAN market would be more attractive to American investors than the 10 individual countries. Regarding security, regardless of whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump becomes the US President, maintaining maritime security and safety in the South China Sea will undoubtedly remain a foreign policy priority for Washington.

From ASEAN's perspective, cooperative relationships with the United States, as well as other partners outside the region, are also considered crucial for peace, security, and development. Responsible engagement from the United States will help ASEAN realize its goals for the ASEAN Community 2025 and beyond.

Nevertheless, some analysts argue that the "pivot" is a product of the Barack Obama administration. For this policy to continue under a succeeding administration, as committed by the US, ASEAN countries themselves need to be proactive and cooperate for mutual benefit.

Therefore, strengthening ASEAN-US dialogue, including informal dialogue for consultation and enhancing understanding of each other's policies and priorities, is crucial. General Ngo Xuan Lich, Vietnam's Minister of National Defence, also stated that, along with mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Shangri-La Dialogue, the informal meeting of US and ASEAN Defence Ministers in Hawaii is also an effort to ensure security, maintain peace, and promote cooperation and development in the region.

Thuy Ngoc