Ruhanas Harun: We All Need to Ensure Peace and Security in the South China Sea Region
- CAobservation
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
China-ASEAN Observation continued the dialogue with Professor Ruhanas Harun. She analyzed the intrinsic driving force of regional security cooperation, emphasizing that the profound emotional connection of people to the sea and their desire for peace are important forces for maintaining regional stability.
With China-ASEAN relations deepening, what new opportunities and challenges do you foresee for China-ASEAN security cooperation？
Ruhanas Harun: China and ASEAN have done quite well in security cooperation through various mechanisms, including bilateral, multilateral, and minilateral frameworks. Also, it is enhanced through private sector collaboration. Agencies or companies seeking to explore or exploit resources in the South China Sea are increasingly engaging in such partnerships.
One aspect that is often overlooked is the sociocultural factor, which serves as a unifying force. For instance, the sea plays a significant role as a unifying factor in ASEAN. It is an integral part of the cultural life of the people who live in this region, as they are deeply connected to the sea. As a result, the populations of these countries strongly desire peace and security; they do not want war. If war and conflict arise, people will no longer be able to enjoy the beaches. This is something that people outside of Southeast Asia may not fully understand—the deep attachment of the population to the sea. And such connection provides a crucial reason for ensuring peace, security, and tranquility in the region's waters.
2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. How important is peace and security for the development of China-ASEAN relations?
Ruhanas Harun: Geographically, we are neighbors, and a close neighbor is always better than a distant friend. We share a long history of interaction. For example, China and Malaysia have had exchanges since the 14th century, with Chinese ships sailing to Malaysia and visiting Malacca. Over time, we've developed many shared cultural commonalities, such as food and traditions.
We are united politically, socioculturally, and also in terms of security. It is crucial that we work together to ensure that the South China Sea remains a region of peace and security.
In 1971, ASEAN members introduced the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) in Southeast Asia, with the clear objective of preventing extra-regional powers from interfering in the region. This principle, first established during the Cold War, still remains relevant today. While we now have other policies in place, the core idea of ZOPFAN continues to guide ASEAN's approach to the South China Sea. However, it will take time and sustained effort to fully achieve this vision. It's a long process.
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