China may yet persuade Southeast Asia to support new maritime order

(Aristyo Darmawan – ASPI The Strategist) Step by step, China is creating a Southeast Asian maritime order under its leadership. It has become a key investor in the region’s blue economy and is strengthening security ties with countries that are concerned about the unreliability of the United States. How much the region will cooperate with this maritime order depends on whether China can curb bullying behaviour in the South China Sea, and whether other partners can provide viable alternatives. China’s focus on the blue economy and maritime security reflects the priorities laid out in the latest Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). China is one of the most important investors in the blue economy, claiming that, together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, it is investing between US$2.0 trillion and US$3.7 trillion (between about A$2.8 trillion and A$5.2 trillion) from 2020 to 2050. Initiatives include establishing green shipping lanes in the Strait of Malacca and supporting coastal, eco-friendly aquaculture ventures. Such projects are central to the interests of many Southeast Asian countries, with a focus on aligning economic growth and environmental protection. – China may yet persuade Southeast Asia to support new maritime order | The Strategist