Konstruksi XI Jinping dalam Konflik Laut Cina Selatan

Dedi Dinarto, Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro

2016 | Skripsi | Ilmu Hubungan Internasional

ABSTRACT This research paper will examine China’s foreign policy under Xi Jinping and its implication towards South China Sea conflict. To date, the South China Sea as one of territorial disputes in Asia-Pacific remains unresolved. The dispute among Brunei Darussalam, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines have significantly brought disruptive over South China Sea. However, the development of South China Sea conflict has arisen since Xi Jinping takes charge in China. He has put the priority on national interest and geopolitical rise in Asia while neglecting the status-quo orientation on China’s foreign policy backdrop. This was interpreted as an assertive behavior of China to takeover South China Sea as its sovereignty. Against this backdrop, this paper attempts to discuss three topics using constructivism, seeing the importance of idea and interaction in political aspects, as follows: (1) the historical trajectory of South China Sea conflict in pre-Xi Jinping era and its problem; (2) the characteristic of China’s foreign policy under Xi Jinping; and (3) its implication towards the South China Sea conflict. Generally, the research found that there have been long historical events showing the tumultuous of South China Sea conflict without solution. It is due to the uncertain claim of interested party seeing the importance of South China Sea as the strategic locus for supporting national interest. Moreover, it has been understood that the practice of Chinese foreign policy has been mainly controlled and shaped by Xi’s idea on China’s national and international security, ignoring the contribution of other ideas and the process of social interaction. Consequently, the South China Sea has been considered to be protected from other claimants. On the other hand, in the level of state interaction, each claimants fight over the disputed area based on their perceptions that are mainly shaped by China’s prominent presence. In addition, it has been examined that the lack of dialogue platform results on the misinterpretation of each actors. Therefore, as the process of continuity and change, this circumstance may exacerbated the current tension in the South China Sea and may results in war. Keywords: Chinese foreign policy, Xi Jinping, South China Sea, constructivism

Kata Kunci : Politik Luar Negeri - Cina; Konflik