Biography
Dr. Mark J. Valencia is an internationally recognized maritime policy analyst, political commentator and consultant focused on Asia. Most recently he was a Visiting Senior Scholar at China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies and continues to be an Adjunct Senior Scholar with the Institute.
Dr. Valencia has published some 15 books and over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and has been a frequent oped contributor to prominent public media. Selected major policy relevant works include The Proliferation Security Initiative : Making Waves in Asia (Adelphi Paper 376, International Institute for Strategic Studies, October 2005), Military and Intelligence Gathering Activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone : Consensus and Disagreement (co-editor, Marine Policy Special Issues, March 2005 and January 2004); Maritime Regime Building: Lessons Learned and Their Relevance for Northeast Asia (Martinus Nijhoff, 2002); Sharing the Resources of the South China Sea (with Jon Van Dyke and Noel Ludwig, Martinus Nijhoff, 1997); A Maritime Regime for Northeast Asia (Oxford University Press, 1996); China and the South China Sea Disputes (Adelphi Paper 298, Institute for International and Strategic Studies, 1995); Atlas for Marine Policy in East Asian Seas (with Joseph Morgan, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1992); and Pacific Ocean Boundary Problems: Status and Solutions (with Douglas Johnston, Martinus Nijhoff, 1991).
Abstract
ASEAN, America, China and the South China Sea
The US-China contest for hard and soft power domination of the South China Sea and the region has become a battle for ASEAN members’ hearts and minds. But most ASEAN members do not want to ‘choose’ but to balance and benefit from both. Accordingly, ASEAN has bravely reaffirmed its centrality in regional security affairs. But ASEAN centrality depends on its unity and in this security dilemma, that is being seriously undermined. If ASEAN wants to stem the drift toward regional instability and conflict, it must find sufficient common ground to tell America and China what it wants them to do and not do. If necessary it could appeal to the international community to help restrain the two main protagonists.
