ASEAN's Diplomatic and Strategic Engagement in The South China Sea Dispute: An Analysis

Abstract

This article highlights ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the dispute in the SCS. These efforts include the Declaration of Conduct of Parties, and the Code of Conduct. This paper also shed light on the collective efforts of the organization through its various mechanisms such as the ARF and ADMM+. These mechanisms contributed in facilitating negotiations among parties of the conflict. However, ASEAN faces challenges such as the different interests of its members, no legally binding agreement and intervention by other influential states. Every ASEAN member state have different attitude towards the matter which makes which makes it difficult to achieve a united stance on the issue. The decision-making process of ASEAN is also discussed briefly.