Exclusive Interview with the Executive Director of the China-America Studies Institute: Multilateralism Remains the Trend in Solving Ocean Governance Challenges
- CAobservation
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
In an exclusive interview with China-ASEAN Observer (COA), Hong Nong, Executive Director of the China-America Studies Institute, discussed key issues in current maritime governance. She noted that building cooperative mechanisms in the South China Sea relies not only on a robust legal framework but also on the political will and commitment of all parties involved
Does the Global Governance Initiative offer a new path to address shared challenges?
Hong Nong: Global governance is a very broad concept. Let me take ocean governance as one approach. Ocean governance encompasses many things—it includes legal frameworks, policies such as those related to fisheries, environmental protection, and search and rescue. It also involves dispute management.
Right now, there are many challenges in ocean governance. One of the most challenging aspects, as discussed today, is managing sovereignty disputes and maritime delimitation disputes. These are the most difficult issues to resolve. Different regions have different ways to address these disputes; some prefer arbitration or international litigation, while others prefer bilateral negotiations. In the future, we may see different approaches to managing these disputes.
In terms of a broader concept of ocean governance, policy is one example. There is much debate on this. China is committed to multilateralism, while the United States has a different approach, as it is not a party to the Law of the Sea Convention. The US pursues its interests through its own methods. For example, I have researched deep seabed mining, comparing China’s approach to that of the US. The US bypasses the International Seabed Authority and encourages its companies to exploit seabed resources through national legislation. This could set a dangerous precedent for other countries, leading them to take unilateral approaches.
In contrast, China respects the International Seabed Authority, international organizations, and advocates for multilateralism, which I believe is the better path.
What is the most pressing issue in ocean governance at present?
Hong Nong: There are many new emerging challenges in ocean governance, like sea level rise, the changing baselines due to rising sea levels, and climate change. However, one of the most pressing issues is environmental protection.
There are two major interest groups in ocean governance. One group is focused on resource development but with a cautious approach, while the other group wants to accelerate resource exploitation at the risk of environmental damage. This is the most challenging issue today.
In order to move towards a better future for global ocean governance, we need to find a balance between these two approaches. On one hand, countries need to develop resources to drive economic growth, but on the other hand, they must be cautious about the long-term impact on the environment. The BBNJ agreement is a significant step forward in this regard, but its successful implementation will depend on the actions of individual countries moving forward.
If you were to use just one keyword or phrase to summarize the ideal goal of regional maritime cooperation, what would it be?
Hong Nong: That would be "mutual respect". This is very important. Let me give you two examples. In the Arctic, China is not a coastal state, but it is a stakeholder. When China applied for observer status in the Arctic Council, it made it clear that it would respect the sovereignty of countries like Canada, Denmark, Norway, the United States, and Russia. This respect for sovereignty is the fundamental condition for these regional states to recognize China’s interests in the region and reduce the skepticism on China.
Similarly, in the South China Sea, some external countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia claim to have an interest in the region, particularly in maintaining freedom of navigation. However, their actions often reveal a political agenda, one that goes beyond just ensuring free navigation. It's about increasing their influence in the region.
This creates a very sharp contrast with the Arctic situation. So, in the South China Sea, the key principle is respecting the sovereignty and claims of regional states.
Looking ahead to 2026, against a complex international backdrop, what new challenges could emerge in building South China Sea cooperation mechanisms?
Hong Nong: Speaking about the South China Sea, it’s very hard to predict the future developments. We already have laws in place, international law exists, and domestic legislation is in place as well. It all depends on whether individual countries have the political will to maintain the status quo and ensure peace and stability. The Philippines, for example, has its own agenda, influenced by either external interventions or domestic policies. Ultimately, it depends on whether the relevant countries have a strong willingness to cooperate in many areas in the South China Sea.
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