Asean stays on the sidelines as South China Sea tensions mount

Vietnam and the Philippines have lodged protests against China’s activities but other Southeast Asian states have been restrained

While Washington’s presence is welcome, Asean countries will not publicly admit it and neither will they attempt a collective response, says an analyst

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In Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines have claims to the South China Sea. File photo: Reuters

Published: 11:00am, 16 May 2020Updated: 9:32pm, 16 May 2020

When West Capella, a drill ship hired by Malaysia’s national oil company Petronas to survey for oil in the South China Sea completed its activities last week, the US Navy ship Gabrielle Giffords left its base in Singapore to sail past it.

It was the third time in recent weeks that the United States had conducted “presence operations” in the resource-rich waters, which has been the site of renewed tensions between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours over the latter’s oil exploration and fishing activities.

Beijing claims a massive section of the South China Sea that extends roughly 1,000 miles from its southern shores. It has used Chinese government survey vessels, coastguard ships and fishing militia boats to maintain a presence there.

The USS Gabrielle Giffords. File photo: AP

While Beijing has said the vessels are carrying out normal activities, Washington has accused China of “bullying tactics”. In 2018, Vietnam – which has territorial claims in the disputed waterway along with Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines – suspended oil drilling projects by Spanish firm Repsol, reportedly due to Chinese pressure.

Among Asean countries, Hanoi has been most vocal in its opposition to Beijing’s claims and activities, followed by Manila.

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