The Latest on Southeast Asia: Rubio and the South China Sea

In his first week on the job, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made maritime security and the South China Sea a central focus of discussions with Quad partners and three Southeast Asian nations: the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This coincides with rising tensions between Philippine and Chinese vessels around Scarborough Shoal and Thitu Island in recent weeks. On January 21, Rubio met with fellow Quad foreign ministers Penny Wong of Australia, S. Jaishankar of India, and Iwaya Takeshi of Japan. The four recommitted to “a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended...in all domains including the maritime domain.” In a clear swipe at Beijing, they pledged to “strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.” 

Appropriately, Rubio’s first call with a Southeast Asian counterpart was to Philippine secretary of foreign affairs Enrique Manalo. The two discussed “issues of mutual concern,” particularly China’s provocations in the South China Sea dispute, and reaffirmed the United States’s “ironclad support” for the Philippines. Rubio described China’s actions as “dangerous and destabilizing” violations of international law. 

On January 22, Rubio called Indonesian foreign minister Sugiono. The two emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the South China Sea and agreed to strengthen the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Four days later, Rubio spoke with Vietnam’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Bui Thanh Son. After celebrating the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations as well as progress under the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Rubio raised concerns over China’s “aggressive” behavior in the South China Sea. 

Following these calls, the United States Coast Guard Southeast Asia Training Team partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard to host a two-week multinational training session in the southern Philippines to strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. During the training, representatives from the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam practiced safe vessel boarding at sea, maritime law, evidence collection and preservation, safety and risk mitigation, and arrest techniques.  

The first week of the new administration reinforces a cautious optimism in much of the region that U.S. policies toward security cooperation and the South China Sea will remain consistent. But allies and partners remain anxious as they await details on the administration’s economic policy and assess the impact of frozen U.S. assistance programs. 

Lauren Mai is a Program Coordinator and Research Assistant for the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Gregory B. Poling is a senior fellow and director for the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS.

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