Ukraine crisis leaves ASEAN jittery over South China Sea

Russian, Chinese moves seen as unilateral attempts to change status quo

One Southeast Asia scholar says China may take advantage of a U.S. distracted by events in Ukraine to cement its grip on the South China Sea. (Source photos by Rie Ishii, AP and Reuters)

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer

March 6, 2022 16:29 JST

JAKARTA -- In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are nervous about the implications for the South China Sea dispute.

As Russia's unilateral attempt to change the status quo overlaps with China's aggressive moves in the South China Sea, they fear that if Russia's actions are tolerated, there could be spillovers in their neighborhood.