Noel M. Morada

　　ASEAN-China security cooperation has been making progress over the last twelve years albeit largely confined to non-traditional security area. As it evolves over time, it is likely that military cooperation will also emerge due to increasing level of confidence between China and its ASEAN neighbors. There are varied and flexible ways to design future security and military cooperation between ASEAN and China, including engagement in military exercises and closer defense ties. It is quite important to remember, however, that the rationale for closer defense cooperation should include the promotion of good governance and protection of human security. Needless to say, closer ASEAN-China military cooperation must be shaped by norms and principles that not only aim to protect the interests of states but, more importantly, peoples and communities in the region. In this regard, the structure of ASEAN-China security relations ought to be an important pillar of East Asian Community building, where a more comprehensive and people-oriented concept of security is at the core.