The Role of People's Republic of China and the United States in the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) from 1994-2004

Abstract

ASEAN Region Forum or ARF is the first regional cooperation that deals with security issues of Asia-Pacific after Cold War. Since its founding in 1994, the ARF has developed into a useful forum for consultation and dialogue with the goal of preventing future conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region. The ARF has developed important confidence building measures that contribute to transparency and may form the basis for successful preventive diplomacy down the road. This thesis focuses on the explanation of the People’s Republic of China and the United States’ participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum. The ARF seems to be caught in a power and geopolitical struggle between the PRC and the United States. Both states have attempted to extend and legitimize their security interests in the region. The outcomes of this struggle or geopolitical maneuverings will likely impact the regional security and stability and may hinder the progress of the ARF in the future. The ARF would continue to have a useful role so long as it remains in the interests of all members, and especially China and the United Stated, to be engaged in cooperative security in this manner. The great powers will continue to be the key players in shaping regional security in the Asia Pacific. The effective crafting of Sino-American relations is a challenge that the entire Asia-Pacific region is obliged to follow with the greatest of attention.