'Dual-track' approach for better ASEAN ties

But despite all these positive developments, there are challenges ahead. And they can be overcome only with the joint efforts of the two sides.

A major challenge is China's economic slowdown. China-ASEAN cooperation deepened in the first decade of this century because of China's fast-paced economic growth, which boosted the regional economy, and ASEAN's booming trade with China, which sustained the latter's growth. Now that the Chinese economy has entered the "new normal" of slower but sustainable and eco-friendly growth, many of its neighbors are also facing some economic problems.

Another challenge is China's maritime disputes with some of its Southeast Asian neighbors. These disputes in the South China Sea are bilateral rather that regional issues, but some Southeast Asian countries are trying to rally support from ASEAN to buttress their claims even though the trade bloc is supposed to strengthen regional cooperation, not resolve territorial disputes.

Besides, Japan and the United States want to drive a wedge between China and ASEAN by internationalizing these disputes. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has raised the South China Sea disputes many times at bilateral and multilateral diplomatic forums. And the US is using the pretext of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea to raise tensions in the region and seek the support of its allies like the Philippines, in order to implement its "pivot to Asia" strategy to check China's rise.

To foil such divisive attempts, China should adhere to its "dual-track" policy under which bilateral disputes should be resolved through bilateral talks while continuing to cooperate with ASEAN to maintain regional stability. Only by using the "dual-track" policy can China prevent its maritime disputes with some Southeast Asian countries from creating obstacles in China-ASEAN ties and derailing China-ASEAN trade talks.

The author is an associate professor on international relations and public affairs at Fudan University.