ABSTRACT
I n 1995-96 the Assoc ia t ion of Southeast A s i a n Na t ions ( A S E A N ) m o v e d t o w a r d a n e w consensus o n the need for discreet d i p l o m a t i c conf ron ta t ion w i t h Bei j ing concern ing reg iona l security. I n t e r v i e w s i n six A S E A N capi tals revealed r i s i n g concern over prospect ive People's Republ ic of C h i n a (PRC) fo re ign pol icies i n East As ia , w i t h pa r t i cu la r emphasis o n the pos sible use of force. 1 W h i l e v i e w s v a r i e d w i t h i n governments as w e l l as a m o n g t h e m , several commona l i t i e s emerged, re inforced b y subsequent evidence:
1. PRC w o r d s a n d actions d u r i n g 1995-96 sha rp ly increased apprehen s ion over near - te rm tens ion i n the T a i w a n Strait a n d longer t e r m con f l ic t i n the South C h i n a Sea center ing o n the Spra t ly Islands.
