| Along with the escalating situations in South China Sea and disputed Diaoyu Island, China is having a hard time dealing with Japan and some ASEAN countries in relation with sea territory. At the same time, Japan is expanding the scope of its cooperation with ASEAN countries, and the stakeholders are cooperating more and more closely in maritime security. Cooperation between Japan and ASEAN countries in maritime security has become an important element in their relations. Their cooperation has caused China a lot of inconvenience in dealing with disputed South China Sea. A careful examination of Japan-ASEAN cooperation (especially in maritime security) will help understanding the key factors in South China Sea situation, and thus promoting the relationship between China and ASEAN countries. It’s necessary to study Japan-ASEAN cooperation in maritime security.The article will start with theories concerning maritime security, articulating Japan’s and ASEAN countries’views on maritime security. Following is the analysis of the current situation of Japan-ASEAN maritime security cooperation. The analysis will be carried out in four levels:first, Japan’s cooperation with countries around Malacca Strait; second, its cooperation with Vietnam and Philippines which are ’seeking sovereignty in South China Sea’; third, its cooperation with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos which is not’seeking sovereignty in South China Sea’, but which are ASEAN countries and play important roles in Japan’s southeast Asia strategy; fourth, Japan’s cooperation with ASEAN in maritime security. Analyzing the dynamics of Japan-ASEAN cooperation in maritime security comes next in line. By cooperating with ASEAN countries Japan intends to achieve three goals:intermingling with China-ASEAN relationship, distracting China’s attention away from East China Sea, and building political trust with ASEAN countries as a step toward restoring Japan’s’ Political Power’ identity. At the other end of the stake, ASEAN countries is also seeking after something:first, cooperation with Japan is the display of ASEAN’s ’ Balance of Powers’ strategy; second, ASEAN counties need another power in South China Sea to contend with China. Japan-ASEAN cooperation in maritime security is affecting China’s relation with ASEAN countries and the impact unfolds in three ways: first it attributes to the complication of South China Sea, making a peaceful settlement even harder; second, it hinders China’s discourse in Asia-Pacific area; third, it also inhibits the expansion of China’s strategic space.Coping with such circumstances, China needs to build on its strategic partnership with ASEAN countries. By sharing interests and balancing multilateral relationships, China can properly handle the issue and resolve the disputes in South China Sea. |
