ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the South China Sea dispute in relation to ASEAN’s ability to conduct itself as an associative body and considers its initiatives to bring the balance of power to bear. The associative dimension is examined as involving the promotion of a code of conduct for the South China Sea respected at least by the member states. The balance of power perspective is analysed in a conventional sense. It is argued that ASEAN’s involvement in the territorial dispute has been defined by the absence of both dimensions. The lack of associative conduct results from the absence of intra-mural cohesion over the territorial dispute and ASEAN’s failure so far to establish a code of conduct for the South China Sea. Its inability to practise conventional balance of power politics arises from the limitations associated with cooperative security and the lack of access to an external source of countervailing power. Finally, it is asserted that China’s participation in the ARF has not led to any concessions or compromises regarding its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
