A Security Strategy Study Of Southeast Asian States In The Perspective Of Strategic Culture

International relations used to be considered as the game among big powers.However, in order to survive and develop in this challenging world, small countries aswell have their own plans and strategies. After struggling independence revolution, smalland medium-sized countries in Southeast Asia had to recover their economy, perfect theirpolitical reform, and develop social building. And all these stem from their nationalstrategic choices decided according to national circumstance and international tide whichprovide leadership of Southeast Asian nations with unique strategic thinking patterns andstrategic activities patterns. Furthermore, because of its importance of geographicstrategy and energy and resources, as well as conflicts within the area, Southeast Asia hasbecome a hot pot of International Relations study. And some big powers in Asia-Pacificregion also brought various competitions to the area. Therefore, it is meaningful to studynational strategy decision though a new perspective towards Southeast Asian nations.Strategic culture is a conceptual factor to constrain and impact macro-strategy. Infact, all the objective factors like strategic environment, national strategic interest andstrategic strength are playing their roles by way of subjective cognition like historictradition, value concept and thinking patterns. And these subjective cognitions penetrateinto strategic thinking, making shape of strategic culture. So aiming to analyze the law ofa country’s strategic decision, we should search it from the root. Southeast Asia is calledcultural“mosaic” area, which means theyhave various kinds ofnations, culture, languageand customs. Together with different historic experience, they are making countrieswithin the area have different outer strategic behaviors and tendencies. We can findstrategic cultural factors in their national security strategies in different countries likeSingapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, ASEAN’s establishmentprovides them with a platform to behave collectively in order to enhance theirinternational influence. And countries in Southeast Asia endeavor to build a full-roundCommunity by the year of2015.For the strategic importance of Southeast Asian region, the main powers in theAsiaPacific area America, Japan, India and China are undergoing intense competence towardthe region. Facing both opportunities and challenges, China should continue the peacefuldevelopment, by deepening cultural communication and economic corporation withSoutheast Asian countries, strengthening friendship with big powers inside the region andpreparing in every sphere to protect our South China Sea rights.