Ruhanas Harun: Differences in Views Shouldn't Block Ongoing Dialogue
- CAobservation
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
China-ASEAN Observation interviewed Professor Ruhanas Harun from the National Defence University of Malaysia, listening to her in-depth interpretation of the practical challenges and advancement logic of COC formulation. She clearly pointed out that differences in sovereignty and concerns are not a "stumbling block" to dialogue. As long as consensus is upheld and consultations continue, a solid foundation can be laid for the rational resolution of regional issues.
What is your view on the current progress of the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC)?
Ruhanas Harun: To me, the difficulty doesn't lie with Malaysia, the Philippines, or Singapore holding the ASEAN chairmanship. It lies with the basic issue addressed in the Code of Conduct (COC). We hope that the Philippines can make progress with the COC, but whether they can conclude it by the end of 2026 is another matter.
I believe the COC is a slow process, but it is a necessary one. This process will inevitably take time because it must accommodate the differing concerns of the countries involved and may be slow because there are many issues at hand—sovereignty, territorial integrity, and other cooperation. But as long as it is not interrupted or shut down, progress will be made.
What do you see as the key steps to resolving the South China Sea dispute?
Ruhanas Harun: As far as the South China Sea issue and the surrounding region are concerned, many approaches have been explored. Efforts to resolve the issue are ongoing, and even if a full resolution is not achievable at the moment, there is a concerted effort to mitigate and reduce tensions in the South China Sea dispute.
So far, we have seen very positive cooperation in terms of dialogue and discussions between the parties involved, including not only the claimant states but also other countries concerned with the situation in the South China Sea. In addition to the usual direct contact between government representatives, private sector cooperation and what we call Track II diplomacy have also played an important role in advancing solutions.
It is important to understand the problem, reconcile differences, and explore each other's perspectives. While these perspectives may sometimes clash or differ, differences in views should not become an obstacle that prevents continued discussion.
In 2026, what new challenges might the South China Sea regional cooperation mechanism face?
Ruhanas Harun: The international environment is constantly changing and evolving. Challenges are inevitable in any situation. However, in the context of an evolving international environment, I believe we should not sacrifice the principles that have been agreed upon and avoid discarding the gains or progress we’ve made through dialogue and negotiations, nor should we overlook the reality of the situation.
We should look at the reality of what's going on in the South China Sea. Many countries have claims over sovereignty, territorial possession, or the integrity of the region. However, compared to other regions of the world, the South China Sea is relatively peaceful. There is no war, no open conflict, and if you look at the statistics, incidents like sea attacks have significantly decreased.
While the international environment may change, particularly with regard to geopolitics or government policies, this should not change the realities on the ground. The issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and other key concerns have not changed. The real concern is policy changes by governments. When looking for solutions, we must base our approach on the actual situation and reconcile with the policies of each government.
As for ASEAN, we have remained consistent in our approach, especially when it comes to the Code of Conduct (COC). We’ve been discussing the COC for two decades, and while some may question why there is no conclusion or solution yet, it is simply a long process, and we must remain patient. As long as there is no war or open conflict that disrupts the lives and livelihoods of people in the region, we can cope with the rest whatever they report about all challenges.
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