US pivot to Asia

Abstract

The changes in the US foreign policy Pivot to Asia may affect stability in the region. The most critical issue is the contradictory interests of China and the US in Southeast Asia. The US has special attention on the development of territorial disputes in the region. It also wants to guarantee the security and control freedom of navigation and extending its power and better control of its operational areas. The US new foreign policy for rebalancing in Asia Pacific raised questions among scholars in the region. Many believed that it is such a new contest for US to tackling the rising Chinese hegemony in the Asia Pacific. Within the US allies in the region, China rise is seen suspiciously, because the US alliances sees it more competitive in economy, politic and security situation from emerging to threatening. The contest has started since China has desire to block access and neutralises the US power projection throughout Asia Pacific. Nevertheless, the release of the Chinese nine-dotted-line map of the South China Sea in 2009 has created tension in the region and led to territorial disputes. In response to this, Indonesia should project its political security policy toward the US presence in the Asia Pacific correctly because it is also affect Indonesias relationships with other countries. Although Indonesia is not one of the claimant states, the maintenance of peace and security in the South China Sea is still part of Indonesias national interests of regional stability. Indonesias foreign policy towards China in the South China Sea issue has always been projected through ASEAN. In the light of the deadline of the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and faced by the vulnerable environment in the South China Sea, ASEAN is in challenge. As an ASEAN leading player, Indonesia is confronted by a dilemma about how to respond Chinas maritime policy in the South China Sea through ASEAN, given the fact that ASEAN and China are in the process of implementation of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) as part of the ASEAN Community building, yet some ASEAN countries still have pending issues with China. In paper, it will be illustrated that Indonesia should be able to maintain fine foundations, build endurance on its political security cooperation, analysing further development between the US, China and the Asia Pacific, and then speed up the cooperation to create regional stability and enduring partnership. A constant, consistent cooperation on common interest has the potential to transform Indonesia in maintaining its foreign policies.