International Cooperation for SLOC Security

Abstract

Since the summer of 1997, regional economic troubles have besieged the Asia-Pacific region. Until this current crisis, however, rapid economic development drove the states of the region to become increasingly united within the Asia-Pacific region and linked the areas via the seas. To date, the basis of economic activity has resided with the steady flow of shipping of essential daily goods such as energy and food resources. When capital investments enter the region, the rising flow of manufactured goods supplement fundamental regional trade patterns, engendering even more prosperity for the region. Many expect this trend of a regional economic orientation toward maritime shipping to expand even further in the next century, once the region breaks out of the on-going economic crisis.

In order to invigorate the investment of capital that accelerates the flow of manufactured goods, a stable trade order must be maintained. To that end, both secure maritime shipping, as well as regional stability must be ensured as indispensable conditions for protecting a stable trade regime. Thus, the stability of regional sea lanes should continue to grow in importance as a fundamental political issue in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moreover, we no longer live in the days of sea lanes monopolised by a single nation or power. We have entered an era that will be defined by the extent of success various nations can achieve in continuing to develop together in a way that will ensure safe sea lanes and will adequately provide for their shared use.