Expert: Challenges in South China Sea dispute persist

MANILA, Philippines — Challenges in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) continue to persist as parties to the dispute take actions to improve their positions in the waterways, according to an international affairs expert.

Dindo Manhit, president of private think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, said that a conversation over the evolving political and security challenges was relevant as the Asia-Pacific continued to cope with threats to the stability of the region.

"For Southeast Asia, the challenge in the South China Sea persists, as states trade moves aimed at improving their respective positions in the waterways," Manhit said as he announced a one-day summit on "ASEAN Leadership amid  a New World Order" at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on Wednesday, November 8.

Manhit said that the forum would also discuss issues related to the strengthening of the socio-cultural foundation of the ASEAN cooperation.

The president of Stratbase ADR Institute said that the first part of the forum would focus on the theme, "Protecting the ASEAN Community from Evolving Political-Security Challenges."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will keynote this session which will also include Dr. Renato De Castro, a professor at the International Studies Department of the De La Salle University and a trustee of Stratbase; Gregory Poling, director of Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative; Dr. Masashi Nishihara, president of Research Institute for Peace and Security (Japan); and Dr. Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea as speakers.

"In this panel, we focus on the state of play in the disputes, and how the affected countries intend to pursue avenues of cooperation that reduce the risk of violence and escalation, such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, and promote the peace and stability of the region such as through cooperation on maritime humanitarian and search and rescue activities," Manhit said.

The second session of the forum is about "Strengthening the Socio-Cultural Foundations of ASEAN Cooperation" which will take place in the afternoon.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo, chairman of the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, will keynote this session which will have Prof. Yorizumi Watanabe from the Faculty of Policy Management, Graduate School of Media and Governance of Keio University; Aekapol Chongvilaivan, country economist for the Philippines at the Asian Development Bank; and former Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, who is now Governor for the Philippines of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia as speakers.

Manhit said that the chorus of Southeast Asian states aimed to "contribute to realizing an ASEAN Community that is people-oriented and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the peoples and member-states of ASEAN."

"As part of their socio-cultural cooperation, the governments of Southeast Asia have worked to protect their citizens from health emergencies; participate in joint efforts to address environmental and maritime resource challenges; transition to knowledge-based societies; and create a sense of belonging to the ASEAN Community," he said.

Manhit however noted that there seemed to be a gap when it came to executing the socio-cultural agenda of the regional grouping.

"In a region composed of several different cultures, religions, and languages, cooperation among member states can be challenging. There is also a lack of awareness about ASEAN and a lack in people’s participation. To sustain our cooperation, we need to understand our neighbors. How do we create one-ness amidst diversity? How can ordinary citizens participate in ASEAN integration?" he said.