KUALA LUMPUR: In the geopolitically charged waters of the South China Sea, a recent incident involving a Filipino supply boat and China's coast guard, as reported by the BBC, has reignited concerns over Beijing's territorial ambitions.
This episode, while alarming, is hardly not isolated; it is emblematic of China's growing assertiveness in the region, drawing unsettling parallels with the Zionist Israeli government's approach to Palestinian territories.
While some may argue that the geopolitical landscapes of the South China Sea and the Middle East might seem worlds apart, a closer examination reveals striking parallels between China's behavior in its maritime backyard and Israel's actions in Palestinian territories.
Both nations, driven by historical narratives and strategic imperatives, have pursued their own territorial ambitions and adopted aggressive expansionist tendencies that challenge international norms and regional stability.
Israel's continued settlement construction in Palestinian territories mirrors China's strategy of constructing artificial islands in the South China Sea, altering the geopolitical status quo.
Both actions serve dual purposes: cementing territorial claims and establishing facts on the ground that are hard to reverse.
China's assertiveness in the South China Sea can be traced back to its "Century of Humiliation" from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, when it suffered territorial losses and subjugation by Western powers and Japan.
This period has left an indelible mark on China's national psyche, fueling its determination to reclaim lost territories and restore its historical greatness.
The South China Sea, with its rich resources and strategic importance, became a focal point of China's rejuvenation efforts, leading to territorial claims that overlap with several ASEAN nations such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Israel's territorial ambitions are rooted in biblical history. The concept of a "Promised Land" for the Jewish people has been a central tenet of Zionism. The traumatic experiences of the Holocaust further intensified the Jewish diaspora's desire for a homeland.
Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Israel was established, but its borders have been a point of contention. Over the decades, Israel has expanded its territories, often citing historical and security reasons, leading to the occupation of Palestinian lands.
For both China and Israel, nationalism plays a crucial role in their mission.
China's Communist Party has stoked nationalistic sentiments to legitimize its rule, framing its actions in the South China Sea as reclaiming national honor. Similarly, Israeli governments have often invoked nationalistic narratives to rally domestic support for their policies in Palestinian territories.
The South China Sea, rich in resources and a vital shipping route, has been a bone of contention for many years.
Beijing claims almost the entire sea, overlapping with the territorial claims of several ASEAN nations. In a similar vein, Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories has been a longstanding point of contention in the Middle East.
Just as the international community has united in support of the Palestinian cause, calling on Israel to adhere to international norms, the nations of ASEAN must now present a united front against China's encroachments.
The South China Sea, a region abundant in resources and a crucial shipping route, has long been a contentious issue.
In 2016, The Hague's international arbitration court issued a ruling against China's extensive maritime claims.
However, much like Israel's disregard for UN resolutions, China has chosen to disregard this ruling. Such defiance of international norms underlines the audacity displayed by these nations in their pursuit of territorial gains.
For ASEAN, remaining silent is no longer an option. As an organization established to promote regional stability and cooperation, it must adopt a unified position.
Malaysia, as a vital member of ASEAN, should take the lead in expressing condemnation and rallying other member states to safeguard their territorial integrity.
While the geopolitical circumstances surrounding the South China Sea and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict differ, the fundamental drivers of territorial aspirations, historical narratives, and strategic imperatives bring these two scenarios closer than they may initially appear.
In the interest of regional stability and the maintenance of international law, ASEAN, with Malaysia at the forefront, must take decisive action.
The future stability of the South China Sea in the next few decades depends on the unified actions taken today.
* Ahmad Zaim Ahmad Tawfek was an assistant to Federal ministers in formulating economic, youth and foreign policies for Malaysia.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
AWANI Columnist
Sun Oct 29 2023
![[Columnist] ASEAN needs to combat Assertive Agendas, no matter where they are [Columnist] ASEAN needs to combat Assertive Agendas, no matter where they are](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/71595251826_southchinasea.jpg)
Malaysia should take the lead in expressing condemnation and rallying other member states to safeguard their territorial integrity.
![Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan? Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718169354_TBKimPanGon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan?
Kim Pan-gon dipercayai akan mengadakan sidang akhbar hari ini untuk mengumumkan peletakan jawatannya.
AWANI Ringkas: Syor ambil guru Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura jadi tumpuan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
![Suspek kes kematian Nur Farah Kartini direman tujuh hari Suspek kes kematian Nur Farah Kartini direman tujuh hari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721098519_suspekbunuhNurFar.jpg)
Suspek kes kematian Nur Farah Kartini direman tujuh hari
Perintah reman terhadap suspek lelaki berusia 26 tahun itu dikeluarkan Hakim Nurul Mardhiah Mohammed Redza.
KPM teliti cadangan sukarelawan Guru Bahasa Inggeris dari Singapura
Sukarelawan berbentuk hubungan diplomasi yang dibiayai kerajaan Singapura bagi bantu tingkatkan penguasaan bahasa Inggeris murid di kawasan miskin bandar dan luar bandar, kata Menteri Pendidikan.
#AWANInews #SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews #SisiTVParlimen
Niaga AWANI: [Pasca IPO] Apa hala tuju Johor Plantations Group?
Johor Plantations Group (JPG) memperoleh RM735 juta daripada penyenaraiannya di pasaran utama Bursa Malaysia sejak 9 Julai lalu. Bagaimanakah pelan JPG untuk terus berdaya saing pada masa hadapan?
Impact of cloud complexity on cybersecurity risk and AI's role in this mix
Organizations who are adopting multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environments are having to navigate new complexities that emerge as they expand on cloud. As these cloud environments lead to the expansion of attack surfaces, a global survey conducted by Gigamon found that 93% of IT and security leaders predict cloud security attacks will increase this year.
[Data & Statistik] Prestasi Bursa Malaysia setakat 16 Julai 2024
Jumlah dagangan meningkat kepada 5.36 bilion unit bernilai RM3.95 bilion daripada 4.58 bilion unit bernilai RM3.72 bilion pada Jumaat.
[Data & Statistik] Kedudukan MYR berbanding SGD setakat 16 Julai 2024
Niaga AWANI bawakan prestasi terkini prestasi MYR berbanding SGD.
[Data & Statistik] Prestasi ringgit setakat 16 Julai 2024
Ketua Ahli Ekonomi Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid berkata walaupun ringgit merosot, kontrak niaga hadapan Dana Fed menunjukkan bahawa penurunan kadar faedah mungkin akan berlaku pada September depan.
![Sekurang-kurangnya 4 maut, insiden tembakan di masjid di Oman Sekurang-kurangnya 4 maut, insiden tembakan di masjid di Oman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721096727_RoyalOmanPolice.jpg)
Sekurang-kurangnya 4 maut, insiden tembakan di masjid di Oman
Beberapa orang turut cedera akibat terkena tembakan di sekitar masjid di Wadi al-Kabir, Muscat.
![Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US
Ringgit meningkat berbanding dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) hari ini, disokong oleh sentimen dan permintaan yang lebih baik untuk unit tempatan, kata penganalisis.
![Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS
Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Khamis dalam keadaan peningkatan prospek pengurangan kadar faedah AS, kata penganalisis.
![Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720449649_TBHarimauMalaya.jpg)
Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia
Garrido mencabar barisan pemain baharu untuk membuktikan bahawa mereka layak bergelar juara bertahan apabila menggalas cabaran negara pada Kejohanan B-19 ASEAN 2024 di Surabaya.
![Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720051183_tbNgaKorMing.jpg)
Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL
Mesyuarat Meja Bulat Menteri ASEAN-China mengenai Pembinaan dan Perumahan (ACMROCH) 2024 sebulat suara meluluskan Konsensus Kuala Lumpur pagi ini.
!['Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM 'Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41719994055_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
'Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM
Selain aspek kecanggihan teknologi, pembangunan tidak boleh menyisihkan keperluan masyarakat dan ia perlu mempunyai rangka serta dasar yang jelas.
![Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71719887508_MohamadHasan.jpg)
Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala
Wisma Putra dalam satu kenyataan pada Selasa memaklumkan lawatan tersebut juga tersebut juga adalah bersempena ulang tahun ke-60 penubuhan hubungan diplomatik di antara Malaysia dan Republik Filipina.
![Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/41646604760_PheeJinqEn.jpg)
Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang
Phee Jinq mengambil keputusan untuk melupakan seketika kolam renang selepas kejayaan menyumbang pingat emas dan perak kepada kem negara di temasya Sukan Universiti ASEAN (AUG) 2024.
![Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41719578796_MalaysiaKorea.jpg)
Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala
Malaysia dan Korea Selatan mengadakan Mesyuarat Rundingan Dua Hala ke-9 Korea-Malaysia di Putrajaya pada Rabu (26 Jun), menurut Kedutaan Korea Selatan di Kuala Lumpur pada Jumaat.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.