Thread by @ISIS_MY

The #33APR kicks off with the Welcoming Remarks by Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Chairman and Chief Executive of ISIS Malaysia.

Professor @aileen_baviera, President of the @appfi_ph delivers the Opening Remarks on behalf of the ASEAN-ISIS Network.

For more information about the ASEAN-ISIS Network: isis.org.my/2018/09/23/ase…

With the opening ceremony concluded, Plenary Session 1: Asia Pacific Vs Indo Pacific: Rationale, Contestation & Implications begins. #33APR

@ElbridgeColby @MohanCRaja @ThitinanP

Dr Thitinan highlights that #33APR is sandwiched between the #SLD and G20, and taking place immediately after the ASEAN Summit. He highlighted that the ASEAN produced outlook on the Indo Pacific referred to the Asia Pacific 6x while the Indo Pacific was referred to 26x. #33APR

#33APR @ElbridgeColby - The US regards itself as being in a sustained strategic competition with China. This is reflected in multiple statements and strategic documents. There was hope that China would adapt to the existing rules based order, but this has not happened.

China has in fact used these rules to subvert the system and in many cases, blatantly ignores them. US does not seek to hold China down but wants to ensure that a rules based international order is respected and negotiate with other countries on fair and equitable terms. #33APR

Neither is the US asking ASEAN to choose between the two. What it is doing is to diminish China’s ability to coerce. Among US policy makers there is a growing view that the US' international approach needs to be more ready to apply strong leverage when necessary. #33APR

#33APR @MohanCRaja - Regional "descriptions" —SEA, EA, and even SA— not set in stone. They are forced onto the region, they evolve, and sometimes dis-invented. ASEAN addressing the #IndoPacific shows tacit acceptance that it will stick around and ASEAN will have to adapt to it.

The impacts of China/India rising is the fusion of space between them in Asia. The region is going back to pre-existing structures. The fear of China’s rise will force others, including India to balance against it. These are natural turns of events. #33APR

Indian engagement with ASEAN has been increasing across multiple spheres. But there is still a lot more to be done. @narendramodi's renewed mandate might provide impetus for that. What India can do is to is to look at mini-lateral opportunities with ASEAN member states. #33APR

#33APR Professor Akio Takahara - What is the significance of the #IndoPacific in the context of increasing rapprochement between Tokyo and Beijing? I believe that Japan’s FOIP vision is compatible with the BRI and there can be multiple avenues for greater Japan-China cooperation.

Although there are differences in strategic concerns and aims, not reason to not cooperate. Any Japanese PM will have to manage relations with China, considered by many to be of paramount importance. This relationship while troublesome is more resilient than thought. #33APR

Both FOIP and BRI are similar in terms that they are difficult to define. But the FOIP/BRI are inclusive, and have similar safeguards for project feasibility requirements. In the wider scheme, ASEAN is and should play the position of a lynchpin of both FOIP and the BRI. #33APR

#33APR Professor Wu Shicun - The SCS is relatively peaceful at the moment, but future pessimistic. The US @DeptofDefense report underpins a prejudiced approach towards China in the SCS, which gives justifications for the former to increase its presence.

The US approach is now intended to force regional countries, especially in SEA to take sides between the US and China in the dispute. It is actively trying to disrupt efforts between China and ASEAN to develop and uphold the rules based order in the SCS. #33APR

While the COC isn't meant to settle the SCS territorial dispute, it is essential to deal with increasing maritime tensions. Other countries, especially the US, should not sabotage this process. US FONOPS in the SCS will only increase likelihood of an incident in the SCS. #33APR

Plus US intentions seen by how it will treat PLAN/CCG/fishing fleets as one. Even withdrawal from nuclear treaties will impact China. Thus only natural for China to defend itself by developing its SCS holdings, increase PLAN/CCG enforcement patrols to safeguard territory. #33APR

China is very concerned that the US position in the SCS is not a mere international stakeholder, but an active instigator against what China sees as its legitimate claims - it encourages others to confront China without trying to positively engage first. #33APR

China might be more inclined to explore ASEAN-centered #IndoPacific strategy that can bridge Japan and US' approaches with the BRI. The US approach is too prejudiced against, and is perceived just as such by China. Unlikely to be much US-China bilateral progress on that. #33APR

The evening's "Plenary Session 2: Asia-Europe Partnership: Stasis or Elevation?" kicks off. #33APR

#33APR Patrick Rueppel - There is an impression that relations and cooperation between Asia and Europe does not spillover to security matters. Regardless, there is undoubtedly room for further cooperation. However questions remain as to what role should the EU play in the region?

#33APR Dr Le Dinh Tinh - ASEAN-EU partnership needs to be strengthened in the wake of protectionism, isolationism and cross-border security issues arising globally. One role the EU can play is to balance major power competition to provide ASEAN with much needed strategic space.

This can also be done by supporting the evolving regional security infrastructure. Besides that, the EU can also act as a source of much needed FDI to the region. But to get there, the partnership needs to be enhanced. For ASEAN, it needs to prioritise the partnership. #33APR

#33APR Ambassador Pou Sothirak - Historically, ASEAN and the EU has had long standing dialogues which predates the formalised relationship in 1977. In more recent years, this has been strengthened by at least 22 EU-ASEAN meetings highlighting economic and social cooperation.

"Sustainable" is the nature of ASEAN-EU security cooperation. Maritime security, transnational crime, and human security issues are areas for deeper cooperation. In terms of regionalisation, ASEAN can learn from the EU in mitigating anti-globalisation/free trade sentiment. #33APR

While the EU may help play a pacifying role in the region, the EU needs to understand the "ASEAN Way" as it is not a supranational entity. Also if cooperation wants to go smoothly, issues pertaining to human rights, palm oil, etc needs to overcome. #33APR

Meanwhile, ASEAN needs play its part and take into account the EU's interests as well. ASEAN needs to be more outward, rather than inward looking in engaging the EU. #33APR

#33APR Dr Michito Tsuruoka - The presentation centred on lessons the EU can learn from Japan on cooperation with ASEAN. Regionally, the EU is seen as a "good weather" friend. It is "only here" when the region prospers. What is needed from the EU is more prominent engagement.

Japan’s approach has always been a relationship that continues despite the state of the region. Individual EU states have done this by taking steps to approach individual countries, but the struggle for Brussels is to ensure better cooperation between the EU and ASEAN. #33APR

#Brexit is a big issue that ASEAN/Japan are following closely. The UK leaving the EU complicates its economic relations with Asia, and there needs to be a creative approach to ensure that the UK continues to be involved in discussions between the EU and Asian countries. #33APR

#33APR Ambassador @EUAmbASEAN - It has been said that the security engagement EU has with ASEAN is of a sustainable nature. This could be because human security and climate change, among other non-traditional security issues, are more important in Europe compared to Asia.

One of the EU's biggest assets in Asia are the businesses which has been in the region for a long time. To ASEAN, the EU is either the first or second largest trading partner for many of its member states, while ASEAN as a whole is the EU's third largest trading partner. #33APR

It is a challenge for the EU when ASEAN comes about asking for more help in terms of integration and regionalisation, but it is problematic when the counterpart continues to exercise its stand as a unique regional organisation that holds up sovereignty over cooperation. #33APR