History · JC 1 · Regional Cooperation and ASEAN · Semester 2

The South China Sea Disputes: ASEAN's Role

Examining the complex South China Sea disputes and ASEAN's efforts to manage tensions and maintain a unified front.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Regional Security Challenges: South China Sea - JC1

About This Topic

This topic analyzes the South China Sea disputes, one of the most significant security challenges facing ASEAN today. Students examine the overlapping maritime claims of China and several ASEAN states (Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei) and the struggle of ASEAN to maintain a unified front. The curriculum explores the significance of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and the ongoing, difficult negotiations for a more binding Code of Conduct (COC).

Students evaluate how the US-China rivalry complicates the dispute and the impact of 'divide and rule' tactics on ASEAN unity. Understanding this conflict is vital for grasping the complexities of maritime security and the limits of regional diplomacy. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the 'claims' on a map and engage in simulations of the COC negotiations.

Key Questions

1. Explain the various territorial claims and geopolitical interests involved in the South China Sea disputes.
2. Analyze the challenges ASEAN faces in formulating a unified response to Chinese maritime claims.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in de-escalating tensions.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the territorial claims of China and various ASEAN member states within the South China Sea.
• Analyze the geopolitical interests of external powers, such as the United States, in the South China Sea disputes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in managing South China Sea tensions.
• Synthesize the challenges ASEAN faces in maintaining a unified diplomatic position on the South China Sea.

Before You Start

Introduction to ASEAN: Formation and Objectives

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of ASEAN's purpose and structure to analyze its role in regional security challenges.

Principles of International Law and Sovereignty

Why: Understanding basic concepts of international law, including territorial waters and national sovereignty, is crucial for grasping the nature of maritime disputes.

Key Vocabulary

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)	A maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline, within which the coastal state has sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, and managing natural resources.
Nine-Dash Line	A demarcation line used by China on its maps to delineate its claim of sovereignty over islands and waters in the South China Sea.
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC)	A non-binding agreement signed in 2002 between China and ASEAN member states aimed at promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the South China Sea.
Code of Conduct (COC)	A proposed legally binding agreement between China and ASEAN member states intended to manage disputes and prevent conflict in the South China Sea.
Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)	Naval operations conducted by some countries, particularly the United States, to challenge excessive maritime claims and assert navigation rights in international waters.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The South China Sea dispute is just about 'rocks and islands.'

What to Teach Instead

It is also about control over vital shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, and potential undersea oil and gas reserves, as well as broader issues of national sovereignty and regional power. Peer discussion of the 'strategic value' of the sea helps clarify this.

Common Misconception

ASEAN has a single, unified position on the dispute.

What to Teach Instead

ASEAN is often divided, with 'claimant' states wanting a tougher stance and 'non-claimant' states (often with close ties to China) preferring a more cautious approach. A 'spectrum of opinion' activity can help students see these internal divisions.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The COC Negotiation

Students act as representatives of ASEAN and China. They must try to agree on a 'binding' clause regarding the building of artificial islands, illustrating the deep-seated disagreements that have stalled the process for years.

50 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: The 'Unity' Challenge

Students discuss why it is so difficult for ASEAN to reach a consensus on the South China Sea. They reflect on how countries with no claims (like Cambodia or Laos) might have different priorities than the 'claimant' states.

25 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk: Mapping the Claims

Stations feature maps of the 'Nine-Dash Line,' the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of ASEAN states, and the locations of military outposts. Students identify the areas of greatest overlap and potential conflict.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Maritime lawyers and international relations specialists work for organizations like the Permanent Court of Arbitration or the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Secretariat to interpret and apply international maritime law in disputes like those in the South China Sea.
• Naval officers from countries bordering the South China Sea, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, conduct patrols and exercises to assert their territorial claims and monitor maritime activity.
• Diplomats from ASEAN member states and China engage in continuous negotiations, such as the ongoing COC talks, to de-escalate tensions and find peaceful resolutions to territorial disagreements.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Given the differing national interests and external pressures, what are the three biggest obstacles preventing ASEAN from achieving a unified stance on the South China Sea disputes?' Students should provide specific examples to support their points.

Quick Check

Provide students with a map of the South China Sea. Ask them to label the countries with overlapping claims and identify one specific resource or strategic location that makes the area contested. This checks their understanding of the geographical scope and stakes.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, ask students to write one sentence explaining the primary goal of the DOC and one sentence evaluating its success to date. This assesses their comprehension of the key agreement and its impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Nine-Dash Line'?

The Nine-Dash Line is a boundary line used by China to claim 'historical rights' over the vast majority of the South China Sea. This claim was ruled to have no legal basis by an international tribunal in 2016, a ruling that China has rejected.

What is the difference between the DOC and the COC?

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) is a non-binding agreement signed in 2002 to promote peace and stability. The Code of Conduct (COC) is intended to be a more formal and potentially binding set of rules to manage the dispute, but it has been under negotiation for decades.

Why is the South China Sea important to the world?

It is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, with trillions of dollars in trade passing through it every year. Any conflict in the region would have a devastating impact on the global economy and energy supplies.

How can active learning help students understand the South China Sea dispute?

By 'mapping' the claims and simulating negotiations, students can visualize the physical and political complexity of the conflict. This hands-on approach helps them understand why a simple 'solution' is so elusive and the immense pressure ASEAN faces to maintain unity in the face of great power competition.