China’s proposed Inter Regional Counter-terrorist Charter (IRCC) sparks debate on Chinese Involvement in the ASEAN Region

Earlier today, Defense Ministers, Foreign Ministers, and Military Generals gathered in the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore for the Special Defense Dialogue to discuss major defense and security concerns and their respective solutions, including the Inter-Regional Counter terrorist Charter (IRCC) proposed by the Chinese Delegation. Among the few issues, terrorism has emerged as a top priority among the ministers. However, there are genuine concerns that the IRCC, if spearheaded by China as proposed, may take politically motivated actions in the name of exterminating terrorism.

The Chinese Delegation presented their IRCC solution early in the first council session. In China’s Working Paper 1, the IRCC plan, detailed its goal of stymying terrorist funding, promoting inter-state cooperation, and upholding regional stability. But the question is other delegations ask is whether China is planning to ramp up its involvement in Asia’s defense and security. “Our only concern is that the IRCC is spearheaded by China, and its actions as a result may be politically motivated. The Philippines would be open to a solution where it is not just regional but global and not spearheaded by a single country,“ said Minister Manalo. When asked for the Philippines’ response to the IRCC. This reflects the general tone of most Western delegations, where their main concern is Chinese involvement in the IRCC.

However, many delegations, along with the BBC, acknowledge that the IRCC may be a step forward to countering terrorism, but the scale and the political neutrality should be questioned. The IRCC in concept, is a good solution that fosters coordination between the Asian countries and the SDD member states to stamp out terrorism through information sharing.

When asked about China’s potential involvement in an IRCC, Chinese Admiral Dong Jun responded with “The IRCC will not be influenced by China, it has received the backing of other regional delegations such as Singapore.” At the same time, Adm. Dong Jun, in response to concerns of the IRCC being an Asia regional framework, stated, “China would prefer to keep the IRCC to Asia and would not like Western powers to interfere with China and Asia’s affairs.”

Delegations at the Special Defense Dialogue are concerned about China’s growing military and economic presence in Asia, making the involvement of China one of the major concerns of most delegations.

Russia, another state in the heat of the debate, due to its relatively good ties with China, but recently experienced a terrorist attack allegedly coming from Beijing. Russia, despite the terrorist attack, has been constantly seen working with the Chinese delegation on the proposal of the IRCC.

When asked about the terrorist attack and the IRCC, the Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Viktorovich responded with “Russia has resolved its relations with China in the interest of other sovereign nations, and we feel that the IRCC is a good solution. We also have no comment or concerns over China’s involvement in the IRCC.”

Most delegations have come out with their independent solutions with different strategies. This includes France’s suggestion to strengthen the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Global Intelligence Foundation for Terrorism (GIFT) was proposed by India, as well as the Regional Monitoring Agency, proposed by Laos. However, this created many problems, such as the high number of small blocs that formed. This concern has already been addressed by Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who told countries to compromise and work together to have consolidated shared solutions.

“We will not work with China on the IRCC for now, as the United Kingdom prefers not to engage in information sharing with China until other Western states decide to do so. We are also already working on a consolidated solution and are open to more delegations approaching us,” said Secretary David Lammy. The United Kingdom’s delegation is indeed right to be wary of such a solution—sharing information with a country just accused of carrying out a terrorist attack—and the UK must take steps to prevent terrorism from happening on British soil. The BBC will be constantly reporting on this rapidly developing situation. For more reporting on the Special Defense Dialogue, follow BBC News to stay tuned.

Written by Tay Yong Le, Jomin Ng Min Rui, and Krishay Gautam Patel