Seminar on Asia - Center for Asian Studies

The South China Sea (SCS) dispute stems from overlapping territorial and maritime claims involving China, Taiwan, and four Southeast Asian nations: Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The region is rich in natural resources and occupies a strategically important position as a vital international trade route. The dispute is further complicated by the economic, political, and strategic interests of external actors, as well as geopolitical rivalries and competition for regional influence.

This presentation examines the parties involved in the dispute and the bilateral and multilateral efforts undertaken to resolve it, highlighting the complexity of the issue. It also discusses the roles of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indonesia, both of which are expected to serve as bridges between the disputing parties and facilitate a peaceful resolution. However, progress toward resolving the dispute has been hindered, in part, by ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making process, which can make it difficult to reach a common position amid divergent interests among member states. One potential approach to addressing this challenge is to reform ASEAN’s decision-making mechanism by considering majority voting in certain circumstances, thereby enabling more effective and timely collective action.

Sukawarsini Djelantik is a Professor at the Department of International Relations, Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR) in Bandung, Indonesia. She holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy from Flinders University, Australia, a Master of International Studies (MIntS) from the University of Sydney, Australia and a Bachelor’s degree from Padjadjaran University, Indonesia.
Her research interests include Global Communication and Media, as well as the Indo-Pacific region. Her recent books are Media and Global Politics (2026) and The Challenges and Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific Region (2023). She is currently the head of University Senate. 

Moderator: 
Dr. Patrik Ström, Director, Center for Asian Studies, Stockholm School of Economics

• Date and Time: Monday, November 9, 15:30-17:00
• Language: English
• Venue: Schumpeter Room, Stockholm School of Economics, Sveavägen 65, Stockholm
      
Register for the seminar here by November 5.  

Welcome!