China Will Continue to Support ASEAN’s Leading Role within RCEP
- CAobservation
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
In this interview with M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, Researcher, Department of International Relations, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia, he noticed that we should set aside nationalist sentiments and focus on the overall interests of the region, and he also expressed hope that China will continue to support ASEAN’s leading role within the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Global ocean governance is facing many new challenges. What do you think is the most pressing issue at present?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: Global ocean governance still faces both existing as well as emerging security challenges. When it comes to traditional security challenges, we see regional flash points everywhere. They’re not just within the region, but beyond the region. I think, it’s going on certain turbulence, like in these flash points.
But at the same time, we also witness emerging issues, such as submarine cable, deep sea mining, and also supply chain security, as well as the environmental protection problems or related to the ecological environment. So these are lingering problems we have, while at the same time we are facing new problems like those issues.
What new multilateral framework or approach do you think the Global Governance Initiative provides for addressing shared challenges?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: I think more ideas on global governance, especially on maritime issues, is really appreciated. And we have had recently this biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction or BBNJ Treaty among others. Then this is one of the examples in which despite the differences we have, we still manage to come and agree on the certain multilateral mechanism.
What about like other topics? I think we also need to talk about, for example, submarine cable protection. I think submarine cable is increasingly important as countries pursue digital economy path for their respective development. They deploy more connection. They also construct and repair more submarine cable connection. And this is an area where I suppose all countries also need to have like multilateral agreement, in addition to the existing UNCLOS 1982. That's one of the issues.
Taking Indonesia as an example, how should countries’ responsibilities be defined to ensure the stability and fairness of global ocean governance?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: I suppose as an archipelagic country, we have different responsibilities compared to other countries, coastal countries or island countries. When it comes to Indonesia as an archipelagic nation in which we provide and we guarantee the implementation of sovereign rights by others. We also, I think the way we make sure our responsibility is, we set up certain environmental guidelines to follow like for all commercial ships, as well as other types of ships passing through the Indonesian water. At the same time, I suppose Indonesia also designates certain marine protection areas which are located in our seas. That's one of the ways we do our part to make sure that environmental protection is uphold regardless of any maritime activities. But at the same time, I suppose Indonesia is also considering to explore more economic opportunities coming out of this environmental protection, including through blue economy, like carbon capture and mangrove and so on, so forth. This is the way we try to fulfill our responsibility.
What new opportunities and challenges do you foresee for China-ASEAN regional economic cooperation?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: I suppose a lot of ASEAN member states want to learn from China about then how to operate the technology and then how to master the technology so that ASEAN could also lift up and also elevates its own position, and also understand our own maritime zones. At the moment, I don't think a lot of ASEAN member states have that technology. I suppose Singapore is leading in terms of a technological understanding as well as technological capacity. But countries like Indonesia, also like the Philippines, to some extent, we also want to explore and at least understand our maritime zones much better. China definitely could play a part in terms of providing capacity building when it comes to human resources. Scientists from the region, I suppose, are craving for more opportunities to explore and to understand better all the opportunities, be that coming from biodiversity, be that from oil and gas or mineral exploration. China provides lessons.
But at the same time, I'm cognizant upon certain challenges, for example, I think like dispute within the maritime zones. This is one area we still need to talk for how to cooperate. We also manage differences or like manage disputes without imposing barriers to all other kinds of cooperation, including the science and technological cooperation.
What do you consider to be the core strengths and development potential of China-ASEAN cooperation?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: I suppose there are three areas in which we can explore more when it comes to the ASEAN-China economic cooperation. I welcome, I think China's interests to increase demand at home like domestic demand. This is the way we also have to cooperate further. And ASEAN has certain expectations toward China. When we look at the economic data, China's export to ASEAN from 2001 until 2024 has increased more than triple. But at the same time, China's import from ASEAN only increased less than double. This kind of uneven trade account, we have to address it going forward. Chinese companies have relocated some parts of their value chains to ASEAN countries. It is our expectation to also export some of the final products back to China, because China's interest in increasing domestic demand, and this will be mutually beneficial, not only for China, but also for ASEAN to have certain market. In the past, there was the United States which absorbed all these products, manufactured all over the places or all over the world. You see, like manufactured goods coming from Asia, being exported to the United States. But we do not have that privilege anymore. Then we have certain expectations that China could play a part when it comes to consuming more manufactured goods coming from the Southeast Asian region, in particular.
The other one is increasing added value at home in the region. I suppose China has played that part for decades when it comes to building added values. Learning from the Indonesia's experience, thanks to all the lessons learned from China, we now have the interest to put certain measures against our nickel ore exports. We built smelters at home and then that is being held by the Chinese companies. But at the same time, we also need to make sure that all the added values are done in an environmentally sustainable manner. This is, I suppose, an area we need to cooperate further. So all those stuff, increasing domestic demand in which we will be much more compatible with ASEAN, also make sure their environmental practices are being observed very well.
Then the last one is about the transfer of technology. China's technological advancement is really leading, everyone talks about that. And then ASEAN also wants to master the technology. We do not have the privilege to learn from a lot of other countries. Because China is the neighbor, I suppose China's technological advancement should also lift up or elevate ASEAN position if China further shares the technology with ASEAN.
How can RCEP and the Hainan Free Trade Port work in synergy to boost China-ASEAN maritime economic cooperation?
M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan: I suppose RCEP provides a very excellent platform for countries in the region to further cooperate. When it comes to the Hainan Trade Port, I think, using the RCEP framework, you could establish connection or connectivity among the ports of the RCEP member states, be that within ASEAN or beyond ASEAN. It hasn't been explored very well. It's not only about the cruise, I listened a lot of ideas about building a cruise connection with Hainan, but also cargo connections like commercial shipping lanes between Hainan and other ports in RCEP member states. And then the other one is about the marine, I suppose ecological protection, Hainan has lessons to be learned by other RCEP member states in the way you safeguard certain environmental areas. This kind of exchange could be facilitated within the RCEP framework about the capacity building among others.
A lot of potentials we could explore and through the RCEP framework. Just one point and most important consideration. We should put aside this nationalistic sentiment and then think about the greater benefit of the region. Yes, We have these agreements, we have differences, but it should not stop us from exploring RCEP. And then ASEAN leadership in RCEP framework is also important. China has provided support. And then we also expect China continue to provide that support to ASEAN leadership in the RCEP framework.
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