'ASEAN 10' would counter Chinese might: Scholar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An expansion in the membership of the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from six to all 10
\ncountries in the region would make the organization an effective
\ntool in countering any Chinese military threat, a noted
\nSingaporean analyst said.<\/p>\n
Speaking yesterday, Bilveer Singh said an expanded ASEAN could
\nbe an effective countermeasure to China's ascendancy.<\/p>\n
"China is going to be a massive superpower," Singh warned
\nduring a ceremony which launched his latest book, The Challenge
\nof Conventional Arms Proliferation in Southeast Asia, at the
\nCentre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).<\/p>\n
China has all of the ingredients to acquire a dominating
\nposition -- geographic location, population, military capability
\nand a vast economic potential -- noted Singh.<\/p>\n
A future expansion of the ASEAN membership to include all the
\nregion's countries would make the organization a potent political
\nforce in discouraging Chinese aggression, he said.<\/p>\n
ASEAN was established in 1967 as a socio-economic organization
\nand now comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore and Thailand (Vietnam is set to join later this year).<\/p>\n
Singh yesterday referred to an "ASEAN 10" -- with the addition
\nof Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar into its membership -- as something
\nalready envisioned by ASEAN officials.<\/p>\n
In his book, Singh argues that although it presently seems
\ninconceivable that China would meddle in ASEAN affairs, China is
\nstill a major power which harbors hegemonistic ambitions.<\/p>\n
He notes that the existence of "overseas Chinese problems"
\nwithin most ASEAN member countries is an indication that there is
\nan underlying fear of Beijing throughout the region.<\/p>\n
In addition, fears are mounting over potential clashes over
\nterritorial claims between China and three ASEAN states --
\nBrunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. Each of the three ASEAN
\nstates has an overlapping claim with China over the Spratly
\nIslands in the South China Seas.<\/p>\n
"Management of China to me is very, very important," Singh
\nsaid at CSIS yesterday. "Joining together is the only way for
\nsmall countries to manage big powers," he asserted.<\/p>\n
In his book, Singh points out that although ASEAN is not a
\nmilitary alliance, "many observers have noted that some forms of
\nmilitary informality have been emerging."<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Singh did not advocate a military
\napproach to China, but underlined the importance of bringing
\nChina into the balance of power structure within the region.<\/p>\n
"It is imperative to bring China within that structure," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He also recommends that ASEAN should "engage China positively"
\nthrough confidence building measures and other means of
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
A researcher on regional security affairs at CSIS, Kusnanto
\nAnggoro, agreed with Singh's analysis.<\/p>\n
Kusnanto said a united ASEAN would "send a strong signal"
\nshould Beijing have ill-intentions.<\/p>\n
He explained that one way to alleviate the Chinese danger is
\nto involve China various cooperative efforts and dialogs such as
\nthe ASEAN Regional Forum.<\/p>\n
Such cooperative efforts would be particularly effective in
\nthe field of economics since, at present, China is vigorously
\ndeveloping its economy, he said.<\/p>\n
Cooperation creates interdependence and reduces the likelihood
\nof adverse intent towards the region by China, he said.(mds)<\/p>",
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