Beijing – As tensions persist in the South China Sea, a former high-ranking Thai diplomat is urging regional stakeholders to prioritize cooperation, environmental protection, and mutual benefit as pathways to lasting peace and stability. Sorajak Kasemsuvan, former Vice Foreign Minister of Thailand and current Council Member of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to ocean governance, moving beyond territorial disputes to address shared challenges like rising sea levels and environmental degradation.
Kasemsuvan’s remarks, made in a recent interview, come as nations in Southeast Asia increasingly grapple with the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe flooding. He argues that a collaborative, multilateral approach is essential, as no single nation can effectively address these complex issues alone. The focus, he suggests, should be on building trust and demonstrating the tangible benefits of cooperation to all parties involved. This call for collaboration is particularly relevant as the region awaits progress on the long-negotiated Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea.
The Urgency of a South China Sea Code of Conduct
Kasemsuvan underscored the importance of finalizing the COC, stating, “We are eagerly awaiting the COC… We hope at the end of these years, that next year will be the year where we have the COC.” He acknowledged the lengthy negotiation process but stressed that functional cooperation can and should begin even before the COC is fully implemented. Drawing on the principles of the Law of the Sea Convention, he suggested pursuing interim measures and provisional agreements that do not prejudice the final outcome of territorial negotiations, but allow for practical collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the legal framework for these discussions.
Environmental Protection as a Starting Point
Kasemsuvan identified marine environmental protection as the most accessible and crucial area for initial cooperation. “The most critical and easiest way to cooperate in the South China Sea is on the environmental protection of the sea,” he stated. He believes that a shared commitment to protecting the marine environment can foster a sense of collective responsibility and pave the way for broader cooperation. He envisions a scenario where littoral states, potentially led by China, work together to safeguard the region’s marine resources, transforming the South China Sea into “the sea of peace,” “the sea of cooperation,” and “the sea where we can benefit together.”
China-ASEAN Economic Ties and Reciprocity
Looking beyond security concerns, Kasemsuvan highlighted the significant economic relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He noted China’s growing economic and technological influence in the region, emphasizing the close ethnic ties between the two. However, he stressed the importance of reciprocity in this relationship. “We cannot just [have] China importing everything into us. China has to take things, buy things from us as well,” he explained. He pointed to Thailand’s increasing reliance on China for environmental technology, including solar energy equipment and electric vehicles, as an example of the growing interdependence. The ASEAN Secretariat provides further information on regional economic cooperation.
The Core of Maritime Governance: Mutual Benefit
Kasemsuvan articulated a core principle for successful maritime cooperative governance: mutual benefit. He explained that when nations perceive a clear benefit from cooperation – whether in environmental protection, security, or economic development – they are less likely to jeopardize those gains through conflict or insecurity. This principle, he argues, should underpin all efforts to build a more stable and prosperous future for the South China Sea region. He also emphasized the critical need to raise public awareness about the threats posed by climate change, stating, “We need to make people convince and believe that the world is being threatened… This is not a fantasy.”
Looking ahead, the success of regional cooperation will depend on fostering a shared understanding of the challenges and a commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions. Kasemsuvan’s call for a holistic, collaborative approach offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the South China Sea and building a more peaceful and sustainable future for the region. Continued dialogue and a focus on practical cooperation will be essential in the coming months and years.
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