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.

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.

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

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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

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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

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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.

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.

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