The impact of China's 'Nine-Dash Line' claim on ASEAN's role in the Indo-Pacific region

This paper examines China's claim to islands and adjacent waters in the South China Sea, as submitted to the UN in 2009, which has subsequently become known as the 'Nine-Dash Line' claim. It particularly analyses the claim in the context of its potential impact on ASEAN and the security environment of the broader Indo-Pacific region.

The paper concludes that unless China's claim can be managed or resolved peacefully through an agreed form of reconciliation or arbitration, there is a risk that ASEAN's position of influence in regional issues will be marginalised by increasing strategic competition between the major parties.

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