Exploring the Role of Key Actors in Influencing ASEAN’s Policy Shift in the South China Sea

Abstract

Since ASEAN’s formal involvement in the South China Sea, ASEAN’s policy on the South China Sea has undergone a transformation from reaching a minimum consensus to promoting political commitment among all parties to seeking strategic autonomy and the rule of law in the South China Sea. Among them, key actors (such as Indonesia and the United States) play an important role in constructing ASEAN’s position on the South China Sea in the process of maintaining and transforming its position. For example, when ASEAN was deeply divided over the South China Sea, Indonesia’s foreign minister emphasized the importance of ASEAN solidarity through interaction with other member elites, thus maintaining ASEAN’s original consensus on the South China Sea. The US ambassador to ASEAN, on the other hand, utilized ASEAN norms to successfully steer the rotating chair to expand the South China Sea issue under the regional framework. These two cases inspire China to focus on building a favorable position and discourse environment for  safeguarding rights in the South China Sea through the diplomatic efforts of key actors, and to play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region together with ASEAN.