Conference Program

The main academic interests of this article lie in the field of international security and Southeast Asian geopolitics. The article employs an interdisciplinary and policy-relevant approach. Thematically, the article will investigate the coming age of possible confrontations between the United States and China at the crossroads of the Indo-Pacific region from a geopolitical point of view and its impact on contemporary alliance formation. Indeed, ASEAN hosts some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Moreover, it is also home to vital geopolitical chokepoints connecting the economies of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia to Northeast Asia, over which most of the world's maritime oil trade and nearly one-third of total worldwide trade depend on. In recent times, China has been increasing its naval presence and ambitions in the region through the development of the Belt and Road Initiative to address its territorial claims by challenging the region's security dynamics. On the other hand, the US has also demonstrated unease regarding China's actions. To this end, the study will look at the development of competition between great powers in the region from the perspective of ASEAN countries. The research questions in this project are exploratory and aim to reveal and understand the factors that would help decipher the evolution of the regional geopolitical chess game. Within the scope of the above-mentioned conceptual parameters, this project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics and rationale behind the rejuvenation of geopolitics in Southeast Asia.

The most recent security phenomenon is the evolving Indo-Pacific security architecture, which has a growing impact on the strategic calculations of major powers and international dynamics. The Indo-Pacific security architecture, which has evolved into a more aggressive and competitive arena due to the presence of multiple forces, is still undergoing formation. Indo-Pacific connectivity is imperative for the economic development of the nations in the Indo-Pacific region and is a natural consequence of increased cooperation between the two regions resulting from globalization. Since China is a major power in the Indo-Pacific and plays a significant role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, it is natural that its long-term interests coincide with the integration and interoperability of the two oceans. In terms of tactical choices, China resists any strategic alliance with a Cold War mentality and containment intent but seeks to participate in this process through China's regional development-security-governance concept, the Belt and Road Initiative, and bilateral and multilateral relations with Indo-Pacific countries. The construction of a security architecture for the Indo-Pacific will be a protracted and continuous undertaking, presenting China with various obstacles and prospects. To construct a truly inclusive and all-encompassing Indo-Pacific regional security architecture, China must effectively manage its relations with the United States, Japan, Australia, India, and Southeast Asian nations; actively become a practitioner and promoter of the construction of institutions and mechanisms; and increase the acceptance of its concepts and proposals.

This paper investigates ASEAN's dynamic role in overseeing major powers within the Indo-Pacific area, concentrating on its strategy concerning shifts in power and order. The study scrutinizes ASEAN's strategic institutional methods, underscoring the impact of norms, standards, and social frameworks in shaping its responses within rivalries among dominant global players. Drawing on Koga's (2018) institutional framework and English School concepts, the research delves into how ASEAN navigates conflicting interests and pursues recognition and organizational validation. It delves into the intricacies of the US-China and Sino-Japanese rivalries, highlighting the historical dynamics and uncertainties that impact East Asia's regional leadership.

The study also explores the notion of a "great power bargain" and assesses how ASEAN's actions can be influenced or directed by China or Japan. It stresses ASEAN's successful facilitation of actions involving major powers. This paper offers insights into ASEAN's role in managing major powers, emphasizing the significance of norms, standards, and strategic institutional methods in maintaining regional security and fostering order across the Indo-Pacific region.

The South China Sea (SCS) is one security hotspot in Indo-Pacific region. The SCS is significance due to its rich in natural resources, a strategic location, and an important international trade route. The source of conflict is an overlapping claim between China, Taiwan, and four Southeast Asian Countries (Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia). The overlapping claim reemerged after China introduced a “nine dash lines” principles against the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that implements by ASEAN members states. These facts highlight to complexity of issues and regional order which led insecurity and competition. ASEAN as the most prominent regional organization and a main diplomatic actor, had conducted numerous efforts to reach regional peace without success. The article would answer the question “How is the role of ASEAN to resolve the problem?” So far ASEAN inability and ineffectiveness was due conflicting interests between member parties’ claimant and non-claimant states. Within ASEAN, claimants and non-claimant members have similar position and weight of votes that led to failure to reach agreement. The ASEAN way and “consensus” mechanism had hindered its organizational ability to find the best resolution. A possible approach is to modify the mechanism through the “majority of votes” approach. ASEAN cohesiveness is being tested through willingness to change voting mechanism. The role and position of Indonesia as a non-claimant states and ASEAN leader would be discussed in order to see its contribution to conflict resolution.