Asian wisdom will bring stability to world governance
The world today is far from being tranquil. Facing a choice of the times between solidarity and division and cooperation and confrontation, the international community expects Asia in General and India in particular to play a leading role. ASEAN countries are successively hosting three important multilateral meetings including the ASEAN Summit and Leaders’ Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, the G20 Summit, and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Asian countries can contribute “Asian wisdom” to the world amid unprecedented changes unseen in a century.
With the ASEAN Summit and Leaders’ Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, the G20 Summit, and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting being successively held recently, an “Asian moment” for global governance has become the focus of attention of the international community.
When the world is suffering from a growing deficit of peace, governance and security, the “Asian moment” will undoubtedly inject hope for countries to strengthen cooperation and jointly deal with the difficulties and challenges. The fact that the Asian countries can maintain friendship, unity, mutual benefits and win-win results as always is the fundamental guarantee to ensure the region will continue to play a constructive role and make greater contributions to global governance.
Since the end of the Cold War, the 10 ASEAN countries, has not only been the fastest growing region in the world, but also the safest and most peaceful region. From 1991 to today, East Asia has not seen any regional military conflict or war for 30 years. The region has become one of the three major crucial economic centres of the world alongside Europe and North America. Over the past 30 years, cooperation, openness and solidarity between Asian countries have become an important strategic driving force for East Asia’s stability and prosperity.
As the most representative and cohesive sub-regional organization, ASEAN has been playing a constructive role in Asian regional politics in the post-Cold War era. ASEAN emphasizes Asian centrality. Against the backdrop that the major power political game won’t substantively change; the US always attempts to dominate the regional political and security order, ASEAN should play a constructive role in the diplomatic field to avoid geopolitical and geo-economic divisions.
Cooperation in Asia is also a key factor for stability in the South China Sea. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. ASEAN have made a framework for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea in 2017 and arrived at the single draft negotiating text in 2018. Due to the pandemic, the negotiation process has stalled. But the China-ASEAN mechanism over the South China Sea issues, including dialogues and COC negotiations, has enhanced the political exchanges between China and ASEAN countries, promoted dialogue among all parties involved in the waters, and played a key role in maintaining peace in the South China Sea. It has also created a favorable political environment for more dialogue between the China-ASEAN for a comprehensive strategic partnership. Today, the South China Sea issue is no longer a simple matter of maintaining stability. It is more about promoting marine governance, environmental and ecological protection, and turning the waters into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation by all parties.
Even after 20 years since the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, fully confidence between China and ASEAN countries to handle the South China Sea issue is still lacking. Properly handling all issues and forging ahead while keeping peace are the foundations for ensuring the Asian region plays a greater role in global governance.
However, it is worth noting that the regional order in Asia is facing a severe situation in which the UN convention on Sea and the Freedom of Navigation is being undermined by greed and power hunger. The regional economic and trade rules of open and free cooperation is also under stress. In this regard, Asian countries must remain highly vigilant. The current changes and turmoil in the world especially require “Asian wisdom” to bring stability, and it is necessary for Asian countries to join hands and contribute “Asian solutions.” Continuing to unite Asian countries to jointly cope with the profound changes unseen in a century and the evolution of the world’s political and economic uncertainties is also the essence of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security. This was trend guaranteed by India in the olden days.
