Abstract:
The countries of Malaysia, Viet Nam and Indonesia are using a hedging strategy to
ensure their security. The Philippines is pursuing a dual policy of hedging and
balancing with the US. Singapore is following a policy of hedging but is verging on
bandwagoning with the US. All countries are leveraging off ASEAN and its associated
fora as their first line of defence. While ASEAN and its fora are adequate for dialogue
they are not effective in solving disputes among ASEAN countries or between
ASEAN countries and China. The uncertain military rise of China and territorial and
maritime disputes with China are causing South East Asian countries to feel insecure.
While China professes a policy of “Peaceful Development” its actions in 2009 and
2010 indicated a more aggressive approach to its claims over the entire South China
Sea that it now states is an area of “core Interest” to China along with Taiwan. South
East Asian countries are expanding or have plans to expand their defence force
capability. The US is considered an important actor in guaranteeing South East Asian
security and keeping China’s territorial ambitions in check in the immediate future.
The countries of Malaysia, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore are
developing strong economic links with China but are keeping their military links at
arms length while forging closer defence links with the US.
