A separate group for the "Maritime" ASEAN nations

The maritime ASEAN nations can decide together on the best way to reduce tensions with China in the South China Sea and then take action. For instance, these nations could organize a joint coast guard patrol with the support of their external partners, such as the United States, Australia, and Japan. Such a patrol might be able to control the illegal destruction of corals and overfishing to protect the marine environment.

Nations outside ASEAN should be involved in the South China Sea as well. In addition to freedom-of-navigation operations, the United States patrols the skies, as does Australia. Japanese naval ships conduct joint exercises with their Philippine counterparts and regularly visit Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay, and France has called for European navies to form a joint patrol of the South China Sea.

Regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM), and ADMM Plus (ADMM and regional partners) cannot be expected to offer solutions to the tensions in the South China Sea as long as China (and its followers, including Russia) refuses to negotiate. Instead, like-minded nations in the region should consult with one another on practical ways to promote their claims, yet, ease tensions.

Masashi Nishihara ([email protected]) is president of the Research Institute for Peace and Security, Tokyo. He is also a Japanese member of the Experts and Eminent Persons Group of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Sounds like our Japanese friend is more interested in boosting tensions by encouraging buy-in from outside powers and consolidation of rival claimants against China (despite no resolution between the two biggest claimants in ASEAN - Vietnam and Philippines). Pretty clear that this is good for Japan, as it gives Japan more leverage over China and ASEAN. No surprise as this guy is a member of the Japanese delegation. Also interesting how his disdain for Russia bleeds through in describing Russia as a follower of China that refuses to negotiate. What does Russia have to negotiate on, one might ask? Russia isn't a party to these disputes, but Russia does have several islands that Japan claims, which it has refused to negotiate with Japan on. Interesting how Mr. Nishihara's biases are showing up here, where they aren't even relevant.

/r/geopolitics Thread Link - csis.org