Regional Responses to Enhance Maritime Security in East Asia

Abstract

Abstract There is a high level of maritime activity in East Asia at present, with considerable concern for the security of sea lines of communication (SLOCs) against the threats of piracy and maritime terrorism. Maritime security is high on the agenda of regional summits and conferences, and the last few years have seen a range of new measures, both global and regional, aimed at enhancing maritime security. The measures include much higher levels of cooperation among neighboring countries to maintain law and order at sea, including in areas where previously disputes have existed over maritime sovereignty. These are all extremely positive developments, or “building blocks,” that give considerable hope for long-term maritime security and stability in the region with expectations that the East Asia Summit (EAS), which held its first meeting in December 2005, will provide the opportunity for greater clarity and coordination of regional responses. However, significant “stumbling blocks” remain, not least of all the apparent competition for maritime hegemony between the three major sea powers of the region—China, Japan and India—and longer-term consequences of the current high levels of naval spending in the region.