Between China and Japan: ASEAN attempts to create a real organization


An informal summit of ASEAN defense ministers was held in Laos, during which there was an exchange of views on the development of military cooperation.


The ASEAN bloc comprises 10 countries of the Pacific region which are quite dissimilar in their foreign policy orientations. Earlier, the USA was considered to have the greatest influence on ASEAN, although the organization has its own bloc-forums in the format of “+ Japan”, “+China” and “+ Russia”.

However, between ASEAN members there is a list of territorial disputes that are gradually becoming almost unsolvable. Hence why the organization has been unable to organize serious projects. No projects have been started during the existence of ASEAN. 

An occasion to gather

After Trump’s victory, panic started in Asia, fueled by Japan which believes that the future president will withdraw US troops and military bases from most countries such as the Philippines, where they were simply not expected, as well as from Japan and South Korea, the “security” of whom, as Trump stated during the election race, is too expensive.

This statement was confirmed at the opening of the informal meeting, where ministers agreed to the effect that "ASEAN is currently faced with a number of threats and challenges.” This could be a good occasion for rallying.


Thus, Japan, through Vietnam, Thailand and some other countries with territorial or historical disputes with China in the bloc, is trying to transmit its point of view aimed at reducing the growing role of China.

However, in military relations, ASEAN countries increasingly prefer China. The vast majority of them, including those that have all sorts of grievances with Beijing, have already concluded defense contracts and agreements with China, rather than Japan, the US, or Russia.


If the ASEAN countries are able to organize themselves into a real force, which continues to be doubtful, it is likely that the bloc would change its Atlanticist orientation. The bloc could remain under Washington's control, but only following the part of the White House who will come to power in January, and will pursue more balanced and appropriate policy in the region.