Improving cooperation between Indonesia and ASEAN countries in the field of defense through ADMM to advance peace and stability in The South China Sea Region

Abstract

The South China Sea, rich in mineral resources, has become a source of conflict dragging regional countries and ASEAN. The Council for Foreign Relations (CFR) noted that 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas could be maximized into unlimited energy. The ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), which is assigned as a consultative instrument and cooperation in the defense sector, must address the SCS issue. Therefore, this study aims to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea Region by increasing cooperation between Indonesia and ASEAN countries in the defense sector through ADMM. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) the geographical and geostrategic position of the SCS creates a security dilemma for almost all powers in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, (ii) ensuring freedom of navigation is essential, sea lines of communication (SLOCs) through the SCS have regional and geostrategic importance, and finally (iii) the use of approaches through the ADMM found a solid improvement in regional stability.