The Second Track Diplomacy In The Asia-pacific Security Cooperation Role

Since the 1980s, especially after the Cold War, the security landscape in the Asia-Pacific region has experienced drastic changes. As a result, the non-official multilateral security dialogue, or"Track Two diplomacy", in the region has surged in numbers and played a unique role in advancing security co-operation in the Asia-Pacific. This thesis, based on the study of activities of ASEAN-ISIS and the Workshop on Managing the Potential Conflicts in the South China Sea, combines historical analysis and induction, and focuses on the role of Track Two diplomacy in promoting multilateral security co-operation in the Asia-pacific region. It also discusses the weaknesses and problems of Track Two, the interaction between the two tracks and some factors affecting the future of Track Two.Being the external brain of Track One, the foremost function of Track Two, as the thesis argues, is to provide intellectual support for Track One decision-making, especially practical, valuable and feasible policy recommendations or reports. Track Two can also provide occasions not only for participants to discuss some disputed or sensitive policy issues unfit for Track One, but also for countries and regions which cannot meet officially to engage in direct dialogues and exchanges. Moreover, Track Two helps form the habit of cooperation and construct a shared identity among all sides in the region. On the other hand, Track Two has some weaknesses and problems, such as its supplementary role of Track One, its lack of adequate independence and flexibility and its own capacity problems.Track Two, as the two cases show, tries to influence the official decision-making by establishing regular and formal channels with Track One or by informal personal contacts. It can present policy recommendations directly to Track One or hold various kinds of meetings to influence government officials attending in their"private capacities".After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Track Two in the Asia-Pacific entered a new stage of rapid development with some new characteristics. Its future will not only depend on its ability to work out more practical and feasible policy recommendations that might be adopted by Track One, but also have something to do with the relationship between the two tracks, regional security situations and its own capabilities.