As global maritime issues become more complex, the question of how China and ASEAN can tackle these challenges together is increasingly important. In this interview, Hugo Santos, an analyst at the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, shares his insights on pragmatic cooperation between China and ASEAN, especially in areas like the South China Sea and ecosystem protection. With the Philippines assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, Santos sees this as a key opportunity for deeper collaboration.
How can China and ASEAN collaborate to address global maritime issues?
Hugo Santos: Each country has its own national interests, and cooperation must be issue-based, especially when it comes to global maritime issues. For example, preserving the ecosystem, investing in the blue economy, safeguarding national security, and combating transnational crime are all crucial in the region.
We need to collaborate based on consensus, grounded in shared interests, such as China’s initiatives in global governance, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the Maritime Silk Road. The ocean itself is one interconnected ecosystem, and ultimately, we all share one ocean. Through cooperation, we can ensure that we do not deepen the existing gaps but instead work towards mutual understanding and progress.
How should China and ASEAN strengthen cooperation in the future?
Hugo Santos: ASEAN is gradually integrating into a more positive direction, with the inclusion of new member states. With the Code of Conduct (COC) coming into effect next year and the Philippines assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship, the Philippines is adopting a more neutral tone, at least for the duration of its one-year term as chair.
China and ASEAN can leverage this opportunity to establish a legally binding mutual understanding mechanism to address the South China Sea issue and any other regional disputes. This will involve various sectors, including Track 1, Track 2, and Track 1.5 diplomacy, as well as private sector participation, which holds significant influence in the Philippines. The private sector has a stake in every sector of Philippine society, including maritime diversity, ecosystem protection, and the preservation of marine life.
By creating a new atmosphere of optimism during the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, a new chapter in ASEAN-China relations could be written. With China’s global governance initiatives as a foundation, we can work together for a better and shared future.
One word to summarize the ideal goals of regional maritime cooperation
Hugo Santos: Pragmatism. We must adopt a pragmatic approach when dealing with the geopolitical situation, especially in the maritime field, because the world is highly volatile. The global environment is marked by polarization and division, with nations and peoples increasingly divided into opposing camps. Only through pragmatism can we prioritize cooperation and work together.
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