Author: (Thailand ,Captain Pisutsak Sreechumpol)
(25th
November 2015)
The
Maritime Silk Road Opportunities and Challenges for ASEAN Community
Introduction
In the 21st Century, The world needs the theme of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit for the people
being. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Southeast Asia in 2013.
He raised the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century
Maritime Silk Road promotes economic prosperity, mutual cooperation
and world peace of the countries along the Belt and Road with include Southeast Asia. So this china policy will
change the strategic environment in Southeast Asia because after that the US,
the partnership of many ASEAN countries, return the foreign policy to increase
the military cooperation with ASEAN. However Silk Road Economic Belt policy of
China gives the economic and peaceful
development opportunity base on a win-win situation for ASEAN. As the result of
ASEAN especially Thailand is interested
and build many projects to support this road such as The high-speed train from Northern to Southern of Thailand will
connect with the seaport of ASEAN.
This document analyzes the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, threats, challenges, and advantages and how to use "maritime
silk road policy" to development of the economy. Transport and maritime security cooperation in the region between China
and ASEAN.
On the other hand, the One Belt One Road or OBOR
project is not only to make the economies of Thailand, but ASEAN and China is also growing rapidly, but also makes sea transportation system in the world will
grow up immediately and bring peace to the countries which have joined the maritime silk road.
1. THE MARITIME SILK ROAD
1.1 CHINA
DREAM
To celebrating the
centenary of CPC the next Chinese economy plan try to double the 2010 GDP and
per capita income of urban and rural residents and finish building a
prosperous society by 2020[1].
For the success of the China Dream, the Chinese government use One Belt and One
Road policy to be the tool of the China Dream.
The
“Belt and Road Initiative” Policy of China base on mutual trust,
equality and mutual benefits, inclusiveness and mutual learning, and win-win
cooperation will promote economic development connecting with Asia, Europe and
Africa[2].
Once the "One Belt, One Road" vision is realized, it would create the
most promising economic corridor, directly benefiting a population of 4.4
billion people or 63 percent of the global population, with a collective GDP of
2.1 trillion U.S. dollars[3].
Especially ASEAN which establish the ASEAN Community in 2015 will be a benefit from this China policy
too. Now the new transportation project of ASEAN link the land road from China
to all countries in Southeast Asia and also connect to the maritime silk road of the region.
In October 2556 the President Xi Jinping of
China gave the speech at the meeting of the economic cooperation framework
"China-ASEAN FTA" at the republic of Indonesia. He stressed at China and ASEAN will push trade volume to 1 trillion in the year 2563 by China will set up the Bank of
Infrastructure - Investment of Asian (AIIB) to be the fund for policy-driven
of "Road and Maritime Silk Road" for 21st Century.
1.2
BELT AND ROAD
“Belt”[4]
as a planned network of overland road and rail routes, oil and natural gas
pipelines, and other infrastructure projects that will stretch from Xi’an in
central China, through Central Asia, and ultimately reach as far as Moscow,
Rotterdam, and Venice. Perhaps awkwardly named, the “Road” is it's maritime
equivalent: a network of planned port and other coastal infrastructure projects
that dot the map from South and Southeast Asia to East Africa and the northern Mediterranean Sea.
The
new Belt and Road plan, jointly released by the NDRC and the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs and Commerce, highlights that the scope of the initiative will
extend well beyond infrastructure construction. The program will also include
efforts to promote greater financial integration and use of the Renminbi by
foreign countries, create an “Information Silk Road” linking regional
information and communications technology networks, and lower barriers to
cross-border trade and investment in the region, among other initiatives. New
regional institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
and New Silk Road Fund (NSRF), is also designed in part to complement and
support the Belt and Road’s development.
2. ASEAN COMMUNITY AND MARITIME STABILITY
2.1 GEOGRAPHIC
Southeast
Asia is situated between South Asia. East Asia And north of the Australian
continent Approximately 14 percent of Asia, or 3 percent of the world is home to
11 countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and
Timor Leste has a combined population of about 550 million people,
representing 14 percent of Asian or 9 percent of the world's diverse ethnic,
language, religion and culture is a
blend of Eastern culture, which is influenced by. India Chinese and Western
culture From the political nature of Southeast Asia is critical to both political and international security. Because of the connection point between The Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. A main strategic transport route or major
blood vessels (Blood Line) in cargo - from
connecting the East and West together. There are four Sea Line of Communication or SLOCs in SE Asia, the Strait of Malacca,
Lombok, Sunda, and the South China Sea. The Malacca Strait Indian Ocean and
the South China Sea , is 600 miles long and
relatively shallow.[5] The second SLOC, Lombok, is wider and deeper.
As the safest passage, Lombok is often used by
large tankers from the Middle East to Japan South China Sea is the largest
passage linking Northeast Asia with Southeast Asia with the Middle East .[9]
Safe
and free navigation of vessels through strategic straits situated in SE Asia,
such as Malacca Straits and Lombok,
is vital for international trade and energy security for many countries within
and outside the region. A quarter of the global trade and half of the global oil
transits the Strait of Malacca alone.[10] China Japan SE Asia both in terms of trade and
energy. China SE Asia ,
especially the Malacca
Strait
2.2 ASEAN COMMUNITY[15]
Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) was established by the Bangkok Declaration on 8 August 2510 to
promote cooperation in politics. Economy and Society, Promote peace and
stability in the region and promote cooperation between ASEAN countries and
international organizations. Compared with the human might be said that ASEAN was
approaching middle age in 47 years, in the development of nearly half a
century. the joint declaration on cooperation in ASEAN, known as the Bali
Declaration 2 has defined in 2015, ASEAN is entering an important period to be
ASEAN community which has a vision "One
Vision, One Identity, One Community". There will be substantial
cooperation by defining pillar is bracing for. " Family of ASEAN" in
three areas, namely the Political-Security Community. Economic
Community and Socio-cultural Community. It is not only focused on the public and private sectors. But focusing the people of the ASEAN country to take
part in a shared vision of ASEAN is "ASEAN Community build up a
competitive capability with the world market. There are clear rules and
people-centered " To build a stronger community in economic and political stability can create
opportunities and tackle the challenges, new forms of threat. Increase
bargaining power and their ability to compete on the international stage in all
aspects of ASEAN. The public can engage in economic activities more easily. and
people in the region have a sense of solidarity.
Political-Security Pillar under the Blueprint of ASEAN
Political and Security Community has an ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting or ADMM
is a tool for building the good security cooperation for supporting the Economy
Pillar and Social Pillars of the ASEAN.So maybe concluded that the Pillars of
the Political-Security Community is a "Collateral Benefit of ASEAN
together". With this mechanism, the Force of the ASEAN countries have
increased the military cooperation in both mechanisms in bilateral and
multilateral level to create a stable and secure environment to facilitate the
international trade system. This way will make the ASEAN has a prosperity
Economic, the stability of international Political and the well-being of the
people in the ASEAN community have good welfare and good life. and the ASEAN
vision will succeed.
2.3 SEAPOWER AND MARITIME STABILITY
2.3.1 The Stability
of ASEAN Maritime Security
The Stability of ASEAN Maritime
Security means ASEAN has a maritime environment conducive to conduct maritime
activities freely and each nation can enforce the law properly and protect
its common national interests in the region. One of the factor to have the
influence to shape the maritime stability is the Sea Power. The influence of the Sea
Power means the ability of a nation
state in using the Marine Affairs, Marine Resources, and the ability of Naval
Forces to protect the rights of use of marine resources
, marine trade, sea transportation and protect the territory and keep the
sovereignty in both peacetime and war. Any states know how to use the Sea
Power more efficiency will lead to
prosperity nation. The states abandon to develop the Sea Power, The economy of the country will inevitably decline into recession even though the
former boom. Sea Power is
linked to the five core elements of the marine system[16].
These elements include 1) sources of industrial
production and 2) the trading and marketing 3)
transport and merchant fleet 4) Deep Sea Port and
material resources, and 5) security and naval
forces. Any country that can be linked to the five elements together properly
will build stability and prosperity to the country quickly. The lesson
learns from the success of the maritime strategy of Russia, Germany, Japan, and The United States. Be exemplary in its
maritime strategy with the creation of its unique maritime power and can become
the leading country in the world in the 20th Century.
2.3.2 Sea Power of ASEAN
ASEAN is the Maritime Nation. The evidence from
history that ASEAN is an important maritime trade route of the world the same
as the Maritime Silk Road. Address all countries except Laos border have sea border
with the larger pier. (Especially the port of Dawei, Myanmar. , a new project
of the ASEAN Community, which will connect the marine transport - on land - a
sea of all countries). Most countries have an economy based on using sea
transportation for export, Fishing industry, oil rigs at sea and marine tourism
generated revenue for every country. ASEAN states in the 1980s and 1990s
used their economic growth to strengthen their maritime forces.[17]
3. THE IMPACT ON THE MARITIME SILK ROAD[18]
The Silk Road Economic Belt focuses on
bringing together China, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe (the Baltic); linking
China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and
West Asia; and connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Indian
Ocean. The 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road is designed to go from China's coast
to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, and from China's coast through the South China Sea
to the South Pacific in the other. Once the global economy starts to grow on the
success of China's economic policy. The world's marine transportation system
will grow rapidly and will bring the issue of maritime security and the marine
environment in Southeast Asia is increasing as well. The maritime threats of
ASEAN will affect the Maritime Silk Road as follows:
3.1 THE SEVERE MARITIME DISPUTES
The first
problem is the severe maritime disputes between six countries that claim ownership of the Spratly Islands ( China, Taiwan,
Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei). The dispute between two nations maritime
territory includes the disputed territory of
Malaysia - Indonesia, Malaysia - Singapore, and Thailand -
Cambodia. These problems have an
impact on international relations. And maritime security of the region. Cause
strengthening the military power racing of ASEAN member countries. This action makes each country in the lack of
mutual trust make an impact on the stability of the region. This
makes the maritime silk road is not safe for ship navigation especially the huge
cargo ships, oil tankers ship and fishing vessels when passing through
the conflict maritime area.
3.2 NON TRADITIONAL THREATS
The second problem is the Non
Traditional Threats: 1. Pirate and Robbery at Sea, a threat to navigation in
the region with 156 cases occurring in SE Asian waters. Indonesia Malacca Strait
3.3 TERRORISM
AT SEA
Three main terrorist groups have the area
operated in the waters of Indonesia and the Philippines are Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM. ), which in
February 2547 Abu Sayyaf group has attacked a ferry near Manila in The Philippines. The death toll reached 116 people. In 2002, Singapore
authorities interrogated captured terrorists and found that maritime terrorists
had planned to attack the U.S.
ships passing through Singapore
waters.[21] Given
the narrowest point of the Malacca Strait is only 1.5 miles,[22]
the Strait is vulnerable to terrorist attacks. If this attack occurred at the Strait of Malacca which is the Sea connector between the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean such
as the bombing of Marine cargo ship sank in the navigable channels or navigating a large cargo ship crashed into a dock in the same format as the plane crashed
into the building in the aftermath of 9/11 would be economically damaged hugely or
attack at oil and natural gas rigs at sea, including Large oil ships sailing
through the waters may also be attacked by terrorists.
3.4 BALANCE THE POWER OF CHINA AND USA
The fourth problem is that ASEAN trying to maintain
a balance of military and foreign political power between the US and China in
the region. the U.S.—known as a traditional balancer of SE Asia[23]
.ASEAN has faced the foreign policy of USA in protecting own interests and
increasing the influence of military power in the Asia Pacific region[24].
This not only in ASEAN but also occurs in many regions such as the Middle East
and North Africa such as invader events in Iraq in early 2003,
while China's growing economy on the same level as USA make the China be the
new superpower. There is little doubt that by 2025 China will reach the
status of ‘Great Maritime Powers.’ To counterbalance US influence in Asia Pacific.
China push the Peaceful Development policy and One Belt One Road Policy for
increasing the cooperation and relations with ASEAN, which countries bordering
China. On the other hand, The blockade China and the restoring the USA
influence in Southeast Asia region will affect to the maintaining regional
stability which as the result of the race
military power between the United
States and China which two countries try poach the strategic partnerships with
ASEAN in all aspect.
3.5 NATURAL DISASTER
The fifth problem is the Asian Natural Disaster. Situation report disaster
Annual prepared by the office of
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the United Nations report that
Southeast Asia is the area of natural disasters[25]
whether a tsunami in the Indian Ocean, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, Super typhoon
"Hainan" in the Philippines. From global warming has caused more
violence and frequency of disasters. Meanwhile, the expansion of population and urban growth has
expanded the habitat and industrial areas into areas vulnerable to disasters. So
the increasing trend of damage and cope
with disasters of ASEAN sophisticated will more difficult response as well. This will cause damage to life,
property and the economy, society, and the environment through the integration
of ASEAN as a tremendous value and also affect joint economic development between China and ASEAN. So If China would like to succeed a plan
to building a peaceful development concept and increasing the confidence-building
measure like a good neighboring country of ASEAN should support the disaster
management plan of ASEAN by sending the troop and assistance giving to the
affected states in ASEAN.
4. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
4.1 OBJECTIVE OF ASEAN MARITIME STRATEGY
Excluding the own interests
that every ASEAN countries must protect and respect the independence,
sovereignty and sovereign rights to the seas of all nations in ASEAN. With the
ASEAN Charter and Declaration of ASEAN[26]
, we can infer the objective of the Maritime Strategy of ASEAN is 1. Respect and
uphold the independence, sovereignty and sovereign rights of all countries in
the ASEAN. 2. Maritime Safety 3.
Peace and freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia especially Malacca Straits and Lombok Straits and the South China Sea is vital for
international trade and energy security for many countries within and outside
the region and
the international sea route transport such as the Gulf of Aden. 3 Maximum benefits
from the use of natural resources and the environment. Stemming from the sea in
the region, 4, Prosperity and integrity wealth sustainability of all ASEAN
nations stemming from the use of Sea Power with efficient and secure 5. The
dignity and the lead role of maritime affairs in the international
4.2 MARITIME INTERESTS OF ASEAN
Maritime Interests of ASEAN Community. The
maritime objectives above can be defined as maritime interests of ASEAN include
1. international shipping route must be safe
and available at all times especially the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea
2.
The connection of Marine transportation networks such as deep seaport,
railway, road, and infrastructure along the coastline of ASEAN. 3. The
Alert System of natural disaster at sea, Search and Rescue at sea, Network of
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relieve Center in ASEAN ( AHA Center and
National Disaster Warning Center ) in ASEAN should be co-operation with
efficiency 4. A fleet of a merchant ship and fishing vessels must be protected by
ASEAN. 2. Marine resources that are belonging
the joint investment of ASEAN
especially natural gas, deep seaport, maritime tourism.
4.3 THE STRENGTHS OF ASEAN MARITIME COMMUNITY
The
integration of the Sea Power among the ASEAN countries will support the export-import maritime network with efficiency and
increasing the income of each country. Increase the use of ASEAN
cooperation mechanisms supporting to implement of Three Pillars of ASEAN to strengthen maritime security and safeguard the
interests in the region.
1) Create bargaining power in international politics,
especially with foreign powers.
2)
Create bargaining power in the global economy in building the safety of international
maritime sea line with connections to the
system of international road transportation.
3)
With the location
of ASEAN that connecting the international transportation between western and eastern therefore
ASEAN is an important region for the stability, peace, and the world economic system and is a vital economic and political
interests of China and the United States.
4)
If bring the navy of each ASEAN nation
combined to set up the Task Force of ASEAN
which aim to solve the problems
and maintain maritime security. ASEAN will have more power to negotiate and
deal with maritime security issues and natural disasters effectively.
4.4 THE WEAKNESS AND THE IMPACT OF
MARITIME THREATS
The weakness is the Maritime boundary dispute issue of ASEAN
including Malaysia – Indonesia, Malaysia - Singapore, Thailand -Cambodia and
Thailand - Burma which these problems affect the relationship among the ASEAN
member and affect the maritime security of the ASEAN Community as a whole.
Cause distrust among the ASEAN countries with a maritime border dispute and was
made the cause of strengthening the military power (Armed Racing) of countries
in the region. Another issue that affects maritime security in SE Asia and
the development of relations and cooperation between ASEAN and China is the problem of the Spratly Islands between China
and with Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The maritime threats can obstruct and
affect to the Maritime Silk Road in SE Asia in the characteristic as following
:1) impact to the safety of maritime transport system with include, deep seaports, oil rigs, maritime
resources, marine environment.2)Impact on life and property and the
macro-economy of ASEAN Community.3)Impact on ASEAN Sea Power and 4) Impact
on the stability and reliability of ASEAN in the international community.
4.5
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
For the opportunities and challenges
of the ASEAN Community. In order to protect the interests of ASEAN marine. All
nations need to accelerate the Sea Power development and joint investment with
China with Peaceful Development Policy and OBOR Project Cooperation in maritime
infrastructure project of ASEAN which built the Connection of international
maritime line - main road of all ASEAN countries such as road of ASEAN,
railway, harbor, airport to China to supporting the growth of the economy, trade,
investment, cultural exchange between China and ASEAN. Meanwhile to protect the
Interests of China and ASEAN. ASEAN should establish the naval forces of ASEAN
and increase the joint operation and maritime operation with China Navy
seriously especially the establishment of joint patrol in the South China Sea. To
protect the maritime silk road, the international sea lane
from all threats and reduce the impact of natural disasters at sea.
When
the maritime silk can be connected to the economic road, it can be a tool to
drive economic development plans of ASEAN and China country, in turn, will make
the tanker ship, container ship, fuel ship, fishing boats will increase as
well. Base on the statistics of maritime security threats, pointing out the
trend of insecurity of the maritime silk road will increase by economic growth
example pirate problems, illegal goods smuggling, and armed smuggling In
particular, occur in Southeast Asia. It is the responsibility of the ASEAN and
China should work together to maintain peace and order along the silk road by
cooperating in secure the maritime .which this maritime security cooperation is
not only to support the economy of ASEAN and China growing fast. But also to
make the global economy grow up. This will make the China Dream and Vision of
ASEAN achieve success.
4.6 RECOMMENDATIONS
Enhancing maritime security between ASEAN and China should be established on the basis of the Five
Principle of Peaceful Co-Existence, namely, mutual respect for sovereignty
and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression,non-interference in each
other’s internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence[27]
.
4.6.1
South China Sea Problem
To enhance
its engagement in the Asia-Pacific and to steer the development of the regional
situation towards a favorable direction. China should adopt a foreign policy
more pragmatic and flexible especially South China Sea problem. To solve the
South China Sea problem is not the problem of conflict between China and five
countries of ASEAN which claims sovereignty of the territory in South China
Sea. Because there is a mechanism to resolve ASEAN together with China. One of the opportunities to reduce the conflict in the South China Sea is the OBOR and peaceful
development policy of China because all nations want peace, joint maritime
security in the international maritime routes, and develop economic cooperation
with China. But the real problem is that the United States use South China
Sea area to test the capacity of China's naval power and discredit of peaceful
development concept which if success by China send the navy to control area and
attack the dispute countries with aggressive way and increasing the maritime
conflict. This way will impact international sea transportation and five
countries in ASEAN which has a dispute will not join the OBOR initiative policy
of China. Finally, the "China Dream and OBOR" Policy of China will fail
and China's economic growth will down. For this reason, China should use soft power to coordinate with those countries. if China views it as an opportunity
to strengthen relations with ASEAN for protecting its own interests and play the
role of a good big brother of ASEAN. China can usurp the US allies in the SE Asia region and the China Dream will succeed
with win USA conflict in the South China Sea by no using military-like the Zun Zi tactic. After China get a good
positive image from the dispute countries. The next is to try to increase the
cooperation with those countries by pointing out that although the maritime boundary problem
can not be solved for this time, we can get the joint benefits or
"situations win-win " from that disputed area by the establishment of the joint developing area
and protect the international maritime trade routes. The
success key is the investment in maritime resource (Natural Gas and Oil Rigs)
between China and boundary conflict countries. If China can develop
relationships and pull the ASEAN back be a good strategic partnership of China.
China will be the great superpower completely replace the USA in SE Asia. But if
China's policy increases the aggression in the South China Sea by declaring and seize the disputed island in the present. The US
policy that tries to isolate and blockade China, the economy, military,
international politics will succeed and resulted in the policy of "China
Dream" will fail. and policies Rebalancing the US will succeed. After the project of joint investment at
sea success. China can challenge the foreign policy
of the USA by the joint maritime patrol or Exercise between
China and ASEAN in the South China Sea." Peaceful Development" and
"OBOR" policy of china will achieve in 2020, China must take the
Confidence Building Measure with ASEAN by Strengthen relations with
ASEAN at all levels of the three pillars of the ASEAN as following :
a)
The
Political-Security pillar will use the ADMM is the main mechanism to protect and support
the development of ASEAN economic and social with sustainability. In parallel with the implementation of the international
city proper. Understanding the relationship of trust and cooperation with
ASEAN to reduce friction and pressure on
the use of force unnecessarily and using political dialogue and diplomatic
primarily to resolve disputes.
b)
The economic pillars
will use the OBOR policy by joint
investment on the basis of mutual benefit strengthen by building the economy
infrastructure which connects between
both land and sea with all nations in the region, such as developing a
deep water port, rail, road project connecting the economies of China through
ASEAN countries The social and cultural pillar is the cultural exchanges and education with China.
4.6.2 Strengthen China military
cooperation with ASEAN countries[28]
Strengthen
China's military cooperation with ASEAN countries in a manner not aggressive.
Legally and it is supported by an ASEAN countries . To reduce US influence and
protect the economic interests and mutual benefit of China and ASEAN in Southeast Asia such as providing the
humanitarian aid in cases of disaster in ASEAN, joint maritime patrols
in the South China Sea, joint marine
research, exchange of official visits of military leaders. Providing
scholarships to ASEAN and joint military training.
4.6.3 Five Principle of Peaceful Co-Existence
China should use a "Peaceful development" policy
and Five Principle of Peaceful Coexistence, namely, mutual respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity ,mutual non-aggression ,non-interference
in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence
to international political action to reduce the impacts of sea conflict with ASEAN by protecting and preserve the
International marine transportation system and the route is economy
vital to the ASEAN community and China continued and effective.
4.6.4 Secure
the Silk Road and Protect the interests
of ASEAN and China at Sea
Energy security is vital for
China’s economic growth, SLOCs in SE Asian waters, where China’s energy is
passing through, are at the top of China’s concerns. As 60% of China’s imported oil comes from the Middle
East using SE Asian SLOCs, China
considers ASEAN SLOCs—the Malacca Strait in particular—as its critical
vulnerability. With This reason China
and ASEAN should a joint patrol in the SLOCs or
international maritime silk road to protect own interests, including
cooperation with other coastal states to prevent and alleviate the maritime
accidents and disasters in SE Asia .
4.6.5
Cooperation in
protecting Transnational Crime and Non-Traditional Threats
Cooperation in preventing and
combating terrorism, transnational crime, pirate problem, drug trafficking,
weapons trafficking, war, destruction of marine resources and other illegal
activities in the sea.
4.6.6 Support
the ASEAN Maritime Agencies
Support the ASEAN agencies which
responsible for maintaining the national interests of all nations in the region
such as promote and support Research and joint academic marine such as Geology
and Oceanography to protect the resources and maintain maritime security. And the exploitation of marine resources for the mutual benefit between China and ASEAN
Community.
Conclusion
“One Belt One Road” is an initiative proposed by
President Xi Jinping. The idea brings the spirit of the ancient Silk Road that
was based on mutual trust, equality and mutual benefits, inclusiveness and
mutual learning and Win-Win concept to build the world peaceful and developing
countries have the prosperity. OBOR aims to promote the connectivity of 3
continents, namely, Asia-Europe-Africa. When the "One Belt, One Road"
was established with efficiency , it would create the world economic corridor,
benefiting direct to a population of 4.4 billion people or 63 percent of the
global population, with a collective GDP of 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars.
Security
the Maritime means the maritime security environment conducive to navigation
freely , the right to protect the ASEAN national interest which focus on create
a freedom and the investment at sea in a sustainable manner and develop the Sea
Power of ASEAN in the same time. Maritime Safety is reflected stable government and the
confidence in the economy. Especially most of the ASEAN countries were located
along the maritime silk road .OBOR policy will
bring the prosperity giving to all ASEAN countries. So ASEAN must work together
for the benefit of ASEAN.
ASEAN Countries is located at the
strategic point of maritime transportation therefore the maritime threats of
ASEAN is 1. exploitation and influence of superpower (US and China) 2. Natural Disaster 3 Non
Traditional threats such as pirate, transnational crimes. Arms trafficking and
the illegal activities, maritime refugee, Marine environment problems such as
oil spill and maritime terrorism.3. conflicts within ASEAN itself. Most of it
is borderline overlap and competition for marine resources. These threats
impacted to the stability of the ASEAN
region which want to maintain and enhance the peace, security, stability,
cooperation in political, security, economic and socio-cultural in SE Asia.
Marine interests of ASEAN
along the Silk Road as following: 1. international shipping route and marine
transportation networks secure and available at all times especially Strait of
Malacca and South China Sea . 2. marine resources that are linked to common
interests such as Oil, natural Gas in the international sea route and the area
of maritime dispute, maritime tourism, marine resources. 3. The maritime
transport network that including the deep sea port, shipyard and the road that
connect to deep sea port 4. Fishery and marine industry.
"Collective Self-Defense" the policy of
ASEAN maintain maritime security and safeguard
the interests together in the region . This concept the ASEAN need to
establishment of Task Force of ASEAN for maintain the stability ,
counter the maritime threats and build the balancing the political and military
power of superpower. The success key is the balancing power and joint interests
between ASEAN ,US and China in SE Asia.
To make the "One Belt One
Road" the joint development project between China and ASEAN successful
should put into the ASEAN Action Plans in the three pillars (Security, Economy
, Social and Culture) and must be followed on the Five Principle of Peaceful Coexistence, namely, mutual respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression
,non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit
and peaceful co-existence. With this basis. China and ASEAN will get the benefit of prosperity Economic,
stability of international Political and the well-being of the people in ASEAN the community have good welfare and good
life. Therefore China will succeed in the "China Dream" and ASEAN will succeed in
"vision of ASEAN community " at the same time.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge the strong level of
cooperation between the People’s Liberation Army of China and the Royal Thai
Armed Forces. This created my opportunity to study in the 36th DSSC at CDS,NDU,
PLA during the special anniversary of the 40th Celebration of diplomatic
relationship between Thailand and China in 2015. I am grateful to express my
sincere appreciation to Professor Yu Zhaoyuan, the team leader of "China
Studies" Module who gave me a more comprehensive understanding of China’s
history, culture, development path, domestic and foreign policies, and national defense policy of China which will be the vital fundamentals for studies for
the next module.
Lastly, Thanks to my lovely wife
Usanee Sripoom, my children Rujipath, Jirapass, and my whole family for being
the inspiration and support me for the
entire studies.
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[1] Foreign Language Press. The
Chinese Dream of The Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. Beijing: Foreign Language Press Co.Ltd,2014:8
[2]
Foreign Language Press. Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road
Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Beijing: Foreign
Language Press Co.Ltd,2015
[3]
Chen Fengying. Xi's Strategic Conception of 'One Belt and One Road' Has Great
Significance. http://english.cri.cn/12394/2014/10/11/53s847421.htm
(15 September 2015 )
[4]
Scott Kennedy. David A. Parker. Building China’s
“One Belt, One Road”. Http://csis.org/publication/building-chinas-one-belt-one-road(17
November 2015)
[5] Irini Laimou Maniatis.The Management
of the Sea Lanes of Communication in South East Asia and the ASEAN Regional Forum’s Performance. Http://central.radiopod.gr/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/maniatiop9811.pdf
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ralf
Emmers. “Comprehensive Security and Resilience in Southeast Asia: ASEAN’s
Approach to Terrorism and Sea Piracy,”
Working Paper No. 132[M] S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, 2007, p. 2.
[11]
National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS).Security Issues in Asia-Pacific
Region. NIDS Joint Research Series, No. 2, Mar 2008, p. 21.
[12] Yasuki
Nakahata. “For the Security of Sea Lanes: Multinational Maritime Operations by
China, Japan, and the United States,” Captain of the Japan Maritime Self Defence
Force, Paper for the Henry L. Stimson
Center, August 2006, pp. 10.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Association of Southeast Asian Nations.ASEAN. http://www.asean.org/index.php/asean/about-asean
(15 September 2015 )
[16] Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan. The Influence of Sea
Power upon History 2003. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/mahan
(15 November 2015)
[17] Kwa Chong Guan, John K. Skogan.
Maritime Security in Southeast Asia. Routledge. New York, 2007, pp. 38.
[18]
Saw Swee Hock , Sheng Lijun, Chin Kin Wah, ASEAN-China Relations Realities and
Prospects , Singapore: Utopia Press Ptc.Ltd,2005.
[19] Sam
Bateman, “Outlook: The New Threat of Maritime Terrorism,” in Peter Lehr,
Violence at Sea: Piracy in the Age
of Global Terrorism. Routledge, 2007, p. 244.
[20] Ibid.,
p.245.
[21] Arabinda, Acharya.Maritime terrorist the threat in Southeast Asia,” in Kwa Chong Guan and John K. Skogan, Maritime Security in Southeast Asia,
Routledge, New York, 2007, p. 82.
[22] Ibid., p. 83.
[23] Amitav Acharya and See Seng Tan, “Betwixt
Balance and Community: America, ASEAN, and the security of Southeast Asia,”
International Relations of the Asia Pacific, Vol. 6, No.1, 2006, p. 37.
[24]
David Lai,
ASIA-PACIFIC: A Strategic Assessment, USA: U.S. Army War College Press,2013.p.12
[25] United
Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Number of reported natural disasters, world
regions, 1980-2011. http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/syb2013/F.5-Natural-disasters.asp (15 September 2015)
[26] ASEAN . ASEAN Charter . HTTP:// www.asean.org/archive/publications/ASEAN-Charter.pdf
(17 September 2015)
[27]
Saw Swee Hock , Sheng Lijun, Chin Kin Wah, ASEAN-China Relations Realities and
Prospects [M]., Singapore: Utopia Press Ptc.Ltd,2005,pp193-198
[28] Saw Swee Hock, Sheng Lijun, Chin Kin
Wah, ASEAN-China Relations Realities and Prospects, Singapore: Utopia Press Ptc.Ltd,2005:p195-198
