China's Defense Minister continues to call for joint naval exercises with the ASEAN bloc.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan (left) proposed joint exercises with ASEAN. Photo: Bangkok Post

The Bangkok Post reported today that during the 6th ASEAN-China Defense Ministers' Meeting held in Laos, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan proposed holding joint naval exercises with all Southeast Asian countries.

This proposal was made by China at the ASEAN-China defense conference last year. At that time, Mr. Chang said that joint naval exercises would help countries "better implement the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) to avoid miscalculations in disputed areas."

The Bangkok Post quoted General Prawit Wongsuwon, Thai Defense Minister, as saying that parties at the conference showed interest in China's proposal but no agreement had been reached, adding that "Thailand will of course participate if all parties agree." Among ASEAN countries, Thailand is the only member that has extensive military relations with China in all fields.

Chulalongkorn University expert Thitinan Pongsudhirak said that China is trying to catch up with the US in military diplomacy and conducting joint exercises. According to Mr. Thitinan, this proposal is a sign that China increasingly values ​​the role of ASEAN in the region, and predicts that Beijing will have to accept the common rules of the game based on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Yun Sun, an expert at the Henry L Stimson Center in the US, said China is trying to bring ASEAN countries closer and wants support in the region ahead of the Shangri-La Asia Security Summit. Beijing also wants to gain support before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issues a ruling on the Philippines' lawsuit against the "nine-dash line" unilaterally drawn by China in the East Sea.

"The joint exercises are a way for China to show that it has good relations with ASEAN and there is no tension as experts say," said Ms. Sun.

However, a retired Thai ambassador said that the joint naval exercise between ASEAN and China is unlikely to take place because of opposition from some members of the bloc, and that General Prawit's statements may just be a "tactic to please China".

According to VNE