Territorial Conflicts in the East China Sea and South China Sea
One of the most challenging security issues in the region is no doubt the conflicting claims of China and Japan, two major powers in the Asia-Pacific, over the ownership of Diaoyu Islands (in Chinese) or Senkaku Islands (in Japanese) in the East China Sea. The SCS issue is complicated as it involves six parties, namely, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan . China has asserted its claims for the South China Sea's rich mineral, oil and fishing grounds by increasing patrols and escorts for its fishing fleets. The ships’ excursions regularly raise regional tensions. ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Brunei in April 2013 agreed to pursue dialogue with China on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. ASEAN wants a legally binding agreement to discourage such aggressive moves. It would replace a ten-year pledge by the claimants not to cause conflict, known as the Declaration of Conduct .ASEAN countries are outward-looking, especially in term of protecting their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). The convergence of interests in conflict areas such as the Spratly Islands affects the relationship among Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei with each claiming parts of the Spratlys. While armed conflicts among the countries of ASEAN over the Spratly issue may be a remote possibility, it has compounded historic frictions over unresolved territorial conflicts.
This will continue to be one of the driving force behind arms acquisition which is clearly demonstrated by the expansion of the naval and air forces of Malaysia. All the other ASEAN countries - except for Brunei - have expanded their naval and air arms to safeguard their maritime interests.