Abstract
Since the 1950s the regional security architecture in Asia was underpinned by the U.S. led hub and spoke system of bilateral alliances. A multilateral security or defense architecture akin to NATO in Europe never took root. ASEAN-led multilateral security forums began to flourish since the 1990s, but they complemented rather than challenged (let alone attempted to replace) the hub and spoke system. China under Xi Jinping, however, has begun to openly challenge the existing, U.S. dominated, security architecture, calling for a security system by and for Asians with China – due to its sheer size and prowess – at its centre. Beijing has also launched numerous regional initiatives, including the militarization of the South China Sea and a hugh arms build-up, to buttress its objectives.
The concept of the Indo-Pacific is widely regarded as Washington strategic response to the so-called China challenge. How security is provided and maintained in the Indo-Pacific is crucial seeing that the region hosts numerous security hotspots, such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, or the Sino-Indian border conflict. Yet there is very little research to date on the Indo-Pacific’s emerging security architecture. Against this backdrop a number of questions are to be examined: Are we witnessing the emergence of a new regional security architecture? How will it be structured and which actors will play key roles? Which strategic objectives will the regional security architecture try to realise?
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This hybrid conference was held on November 18, 2022 in order to introduce the general political conditions and to provide various views from different regions in the South China Sea area.
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