EDITORIAL - Lost chance to show strength

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean is a regional political and economic grouping of 10 countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

At its most recent summit in Cambodia, the Philippines, through President Aquino, tried to build consensus and whip the group into making a unified stand on vital maritime issues that affect some of its members in relation to aggressive Chinese posturings in the region.

But precisely because these issues do not affect everybody, the Asean as a whole failed to gather around the Philippine initiative, and it promptly fell apart, a sad thing considering that it would have been a great opportunity to send a strong message to China at this time.

China is at the threshold of leadership change. While some things are apparent as to what direction the new leadership will take with regard to future Chinese posturing in relation to maritime issues, some things need to be awaited and taken up from there.

In other words, there are some policies that the incoming Chinese leaders still need to polish and iron out, and it is at precisely this time that it would be helpful to all if Asean conveys certain messages it may want to be factored in by China at it engaged the world.

The Asean members who have current maritime disputes with China are the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. Taiwan and Japan also have similar disputes with China, but they are not Asean members.

A quick look at a map of Southeast Asia would show why only the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have maritime issues with China. Only these four countries share the South China Sea, where all the disputes over isolated islets are taking place.

The other six countries are far and outside the arena of contention. And while they may belong to the same grouping, it is understandable if they may not wish to be involved in a squabble they do not have any immediate and proximate interest in.

Nevertheless, while maritime issues with China may not interest Asean as a whole, a unified Asean sending a clear message to China and whoever else would have been of far greater and lasting interest to Asean than fractiousness. It would have projected resolve and strength.