Maritime Security Confidence Building Measures In South China Sea: The Way Forward

Given the uncertain state of contemporary maritime security, the international community should be committed to ensure freedom of navigation, peace and stability on the high seas. In particular, the South China Sea (SCS) is an important sea lane of communication to the Asia-Pacific region that facilitates the transportation of about one-fourth of the global crude oil including liquefied natural gas to East Asia. The SCS is also rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, and a source of flash point as evident in 1995 because of overlapping claims by littoral states on the Spratly Islands. Therefore, driven by the economic growth in the Southeast Asian countries as well and the need for energy security in East Asia, Maritime Security Confidence
Building "Measures (MSCBM)"is a central feature in promoting peace and stability in the SCS. This paper examines three perspectives as the way forward in promoting MSCBM in the SCS. First, the paper will examine the regional and extra-regional powers' obligation towards international conventions or agreements. Second, the adoption of the Regional Initiatives like ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of 1998, and the Declaration Code of Conduct in 2002 (DOC), Including the formation of coast guards by the coastal states, is intended to sustain confidence building measures and maritime cooperation. Finally, the paper will
examine the modalities of ASEAN in collaborating with extra-regional powers like Japan and the United States to promote capacity building in maritime security. In conclusion, the concerted efforts of. the regional community and strategic partnerships with the extra-regional powers further enhances peace and stability in the SCS.