Regional Responses to Enhance Maritime Security in East Asia

Abstract

There is a high level of maritime activity in East Asia at present, with considerableconcern for the security of sea lines of communication (SLOCs) against the threats ofpiracy and maritime terrorism. Maritime security is high on the agenda of regionalsummits and conferences, and the last few years have seen a range of new measures,both global and regional, aimed at enhancing maritime security. The measuresinclude much higher levels of cooperation among neighboring countries to maintainlaw and order at sea, including in areas where previously disputes have existed overmaritime sovereignty. These are all extremely positive developments, or “buildingblocks,” that give considerable hope for long-term maritime security and stability inthe region with expectations that the East Asia Summit (EAS), which held its firstmeeting in December 2005, will provide the opportunity for greater clarity and coordination of regional responses. However, significant “stumbling blocks” remain,not least of all the apparent competition for maritime hegemony between the three majorsea powers of the regionChina, Japan and Indiaand longer-term consequences ofthe current high levels of naval spending in the region.The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis , Vol. XVIII, No. 2, Summer 2006, pp. 2553.