ASEAN - TAIWAN RELATIONS IN A NEW REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT. By Dr. Pham Quang Minh

Transcription

1 ASEAN - TAIWAN RELATIONS IN A NEW REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT By Dr. Pham Quang Minh

2 Outline 1. Rationale 2. The paradox of ASEAN- Taiwan Relations 3. The Role of ASEAN 4. The Prospect of ASEAN- Taiwan Cooperation

3 The Map of ASEAN members

4 1. Rationale Since the end of the Cold war, and especially after September 11: New regional environment The emergence of non-traditional security issues: the threat of disease, hunger, unemployment, crime, social conflict, political repression and environmental hazards (UNDP 1994) The remain of hard security challenges: Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea disputes The growing inspiration of regionalism with ASEAN: an opportunity for both ASEAN and Taiwan to cooperate. The need to have a peaceful environment for

5 2. The paradox of ASEAN-Taiwan relations ASEAN -Taiwan relationship: as a diplomatic limbo as an economical bloom Taiwan investment waves: 1950s: Malaysia & Thailand 1980s: going West to China 1990: going South to other Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam For SEA countries: the second largest recipient of overseas investments, and main foreign loan recipient. For Taiwan: gain support in international arena

6 2. The paradox of ASEAN-Taiwan relations Obstacle for ASEAN-Taiwan relations: the territorial disputes over the South China Sea Taiwan s claim all island within the dotted-line map to be its historic water in the South China Sea Control only over Taiping (Itu Aba) in the Spratly Archipelago In 1993: adopt of a South China Sea Policy Guideline with the aim to seek peaceful resolution of territorial disputes Nearly 70 % of Taiwan s import of oil and other raw materials pass through the South China Sea Taiwan s consideration of the US and Japan s

7 The disputed areas in the South China Sea

8 2. The paradox of ASEAN-Taiwan relations Taiwan s policy: Establishment of a collective security fund with contribution from all involved countries to reduce arm race, and exercise joint exploitation in the disputed areas Establishment of a multinational South China Sea Development Company ($10 bill.) to develop infrastructure for Southeast Asian countries Dilemma: joint China?

9 3. The Role of ASEAN as a hub of the whole regional cooperation and integration

10 3. The Role of ASEAN 2007/2008: ASEAN Charter To maintain the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN as the primary driving force in its relations and cooperation with its external partners in a regional architecture that is open, transparent and inclusive. a legal base a compromise between traditional principles and new hopes Hold of main principles non-interference in the internal affairs and consultation and consensus ASEAN s preferred strategy of consensus: management of problems instead of solution Enmeshment of big powers as security partners In short: main aims of ASEAN to bring about long-term peace by fostering a sense of mutual trust

11 4. The prospect of ASEAN-Taiwan cooperation ASEAN-Taiwan relations: Promising, but with certain limitations due to Taiwan s exclusion from regional integration For Taiwan: Taiwan s use its economic strengths (the world s largest accumulation of foreign currency, and smart Central Bank of China) The importance of Taiwan to achieve the consensus in internal politics, and continue pursuing its pragmatic diplomacy

12 4. The Prospect of ASEAN-Taiwan Cooperation For ASEAN Continue good economic relations with Taiwan Preference of a peaceful environment Both sides: Respect for the principles of TAC, the ARF statements, the DOC, and the Charter of ASEAN Cooperation must be beyond economic field such as education, cultural exchange. Future possibility of building up a system of