The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an economic union made up of 10 States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

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The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the association are: (1) to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian nations, and (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

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In most of these countries, democracy is fragile and civil rights are, at times, tenuous. Both Russia and China have increased their engagements and cultivated military and diplomatic alliances in the region. They are also trying hard to diminish America’s influence. One of China’s strategies is to frame the narrative around the South China Sea as “us versus all of them,” perpetuating the claim that any American opposition is a major threat to the entire region.