Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
by
Dr. Mark J. Valencia
Visiting Senior Fellow, MIMA

This month ASEAN and China began negotiating a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea in earnest and there are hopes that it will be prepared, presented and approved at the ASEAN -China 2012 summit in November in Phnom Penh. There is a lot riding on the success of the venture-- like ASEAN centrality in security paradigms for the region, ASEAN solidarity, and the tone and tenor of ASEAN-China relations. It would also relieve some pressure from the U.S. on both China and ASEAN and diminish the opportunity for U.S.-China political conflict. Of course the proof of the pudding will be in its observance and "enforcement."  But first the parties have to negotiate a text that is both acceptable to all and effective as well - a rather tall order given the diversity of interests of the ten ASEAN members (only four are claimants) and those of China. Some pressure is good -but too much pressure could split ASEAN.

Chinese naval vessels in the South China Sea.   The rising geo-strategic and geo-political temperature in the South China Sea calls for a Code of Conduct among the claimant states to ensure that the tension in this vital sealane does not get out of control
Photo source : Chinamil.com.cn

Date: 3 February 2012
Venue: MIMA Board Room

As proud Malaysians, we at MIMA are always happy to play our part in highlighting the economic achievements and developments of the country.  From a country whose economy in the 1980s was still largely commodities-based, Malaysia has managed to transform itself into a Newly Industrialized Economy in the 1990s, and is now well on its way to become a fully developed nation by 2020.

Malaysia's economic success story is worth telling - and worth sharing.  Key to this story is the role of the maritime industry whose importance and contribution to the nation's socio-economic wellbeing cannot be overemphasized.

In this regard, we were happy to welcome a team from Oxford Business Group (OBG) who came to find out more about Malaysia's success as a maritime nation to be included in its Country Report on Malaysia.

We at MIMA are pleased with our 27^th place ranking in the category of 30 Best Government Affiliated Thinks Tanks in 'The Global Go-To Think Tanks Report 2011'.  

The 'Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings' is the most comprehensive ranking of the world's top think tanks.  MIMA's inclusion in the rankings is a mark of recognition for the quality of its research outputs, including publications and research programs, and its contribution to policymaking.

The rankings were compiled by Think Tanks and Global Societies Program (TTGSP) under the International Relations Program at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.  TTGSP conducts research on the trends and challenges facing the world's think tanks and maintains the largest, most comprehensive global database of think tanks.