Understand Chinese maritime behaviour: Opportunities for Malaysia-Japan cooperation in the South China Sea

Abstract: In the East and South China Seas, actions undertaken by both claimants and non-claimants in the disputed waters have cultivated an environment of distrust, erecting more barriers to making progress diplomatically. China’s increasing assertiveness over the years is often blamed for the deteriorating situation in both seas, but what motivates Beijing’s maritime behaviour? This paper provides a historical analysis to China’s maritime outlook and behaviour in both the East and South China Seas as an attempt to form a more comprehensive understanding of China’s behaviour in order to guide a better response from claimant states, especially in the South China Sea disputes. This paper concludes with four policy recommendations aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s and ASEAN’s ability to respond to provocations and manage tensions in the South China Sea. It focuses on how Japan and Malaysia can cooperate to promote a more stable regional environment.