As tensions and conflicts between countries around the South China Sea escalate, ASEAN should consider solutions that can reduce tensions and promote cooperation in the region. One attractive but radical solution is to rename the South China Sea the Southeast Asian Sea.
The South China Sea has been at the center of territorial disputes for years. China's territorial claims, particularly its nine-dash line, have caused significant friction with neighboring countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The name "South China Sea" itself inherently supports China's territorial claims and reinforces its dominance in international discourse.
Some argue that the sea is not China's exclusive property, but is surrounded by many Southeast Asian countries. Renaming it the Southeast Asian Sea is seen as a more inclusive move that takes into account the interests of all countries bordering the region.
Many Southeast Asian countries have already taken this step. For example, the Philippines and Vietnam have renamed parts of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea and the East Sea, respectively. In fact, Indonesia has also joined in this change, renaming the resource-rich northern region around the Natuna Islands as the North Natuna Sea in 2017. These actions are a form of resistance to China's territorial ambitions in the region.
The name change will also have strong symbolic value and strengthen the region's collective identity. Giving the sea a name that reflects the common interests and aspirations of the countries in the region will strengthen the sense of unity and solidarity. This can be a catalyst for regional integration and cooperation in various fields beyond the ongoing maritime disputes.
However, it is important to remember that renaming the South China Sea is only a symbolic step. This change will not immediately resolve the complex territorial disputes in the region. Diplomatic negotiations and legal mechanisms will still be needed to address the underlying issues and conflicting claims.
On the other hand, not everyone agrees with the name change. China itself opposed and criticized the move. They argue that the name change is not in line with international efforts to standardize place names. This conflict of views complicates the debate and adds another dimension to the controversy over renaming the South China Sea.
Despite significant support for renaming the South China Sea, the issue remains a complex and contentious debate. On the one hand, renaming the sea is seen as an important step in building a common identity and asserting the sovereignty of Southeast Asian countries. On the other hand, Chinese objections and arguments over international standardization complicate the situation.
Even so, the debate over changing the name of the South China Sea to the Southeast Asian Sea or any other name is not easy. The issue involves complex political interests, history, identity and territorial claims. However, if supported by countries in the region and seen as a step towards better cooperation, the name change could be a first step towards easing tensions and strengthening relations in the Southeast Asian Sea region.
