Sino-ASEAN relations: an ever closer union?

Abstract

The paper seeks to account for the changes and continuities in Sino-ASEAN relations. Significant events, namely, the Cambodian Conflict, economic development in both sides, the Asian Financial Crisis, and the ebb and flow in American presence in Southeast Asia have enabled the ASEAN states to alter their perception of risks and opportunities that China holds. While positive perceptual changes are qualified by the South China Sea disputes and the harmful externalities of Chinese economic development, the return of U.S. attention to the region after the 9/11 attacks has opened the door for a string of high-profile, multi-faceted agreements between ASEAN and China, a sworn enemy of the regional grouping since its inception. For many years after its inception, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) did not have harmonious relations with China. Beijing was considered a sworn enemy by ASEAN member states due to its support for communist insurgencies and its policy towards ethnic Chinese in the region - both endangering internal security of the states in question. China established formal diplomatic ties with all ASEAN members, which included at that time, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, by 1991. Prior to July 1991, when Malaysia invited China to the 24th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, commencing the ASEAN-China dialogue process, China's interactions with ASEAN states were conducted solely on a bilateral basic.