A Catalyst:Asean's Role In Obama Administration's South China Sea Policy

During the Obama era,the South China Sea issue tended to be more complicated and internationalized against the general background of US “pivot to Asia”.On account of the strategic location,abundant natural resources and multiple involved stakeholders,the Obama administration urged to interfere in the South China Sea issue and play a leading role.Thus,ASEAN,as the most important multilateral organization in handling the South China Sea disputes,became the breakthrough point for the Obama administration to step in.This thesis,from three aspects,analyses and demonstrates ASEAN's role as a catalyst for the implementation of the Obama administration's South China Sea policy.Firstly,the Obama administration made full use of ASEAN-led multilateral institutions and ASEAN's deficiency in dealing with the South China Sea issue,which respectively legitimized America's interference and brought out its role as a balancer.Secondly,AESAN members,as willing military partners,facilitated the Obama administration's military power around the South China Sea through the offer of sea and air bases and joint patrols and exercises.Besides,in economic field,the joint exploration of petroleum resources in some disputed areas and the deepened economic cooperation strengthened the Obama administration's economic influence.Lastly,in terms of accelerating the internationalization of the South China Sea issue,ASEAN contributed to involving more extra-regional US allies,such as Japan,India and Australia.In addition,the Obama administration managed to lobby ASEAN to take a united stance in supporting the international law being the basis of solving the South China Sea disputes,which caused a big challenge for China's historical rights in the South China Sea.