There is an emerging dispute in the South China Sea with China aggressively laying claim to the entire area including the islands by threatening other Southeast Asian claimants with coercive power. Which among the following is/are the best conflict resolution mechanism(s) in this situation?
- 1. The US Pacific Command should militarily counter Chinese aggression.
- 2. The US should sign military pacts with other Southeast Asian nations against China.
- 3. The dispute should be resolved by utilizing the ASEAN 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a peaceful manner.
- 4. The UN Security Council should declare China’s aggressive posture as a threat to international peace and security and invoke UN Chapter VII.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1 only
3 only
2 and 3
1 and 4
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
– Military counter-actions (1) or forming military pacts (2) are escalatory measures that could worsen the conflict, not resolve it peacefully.
– Invoking UN Chapter VII (4) is impractical due to China’s veto power as a permanent member of the UNSC and is usually reserved for situations of significant threats to international peace that warrant potential enforcement action.
– The ASEAN Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) is a politically binding document signed by ASEAN members and China aimed at promoting trust, managing disputes, and working towards a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. While its implementation has faced challenges, it represents the agreed regional framework for peaceful engagement and dispute resolution.