In less than two weeks, the situation in the South China Sea has deteriorated at an accelerated pace: a joint Sino-Russian naval exercise; plans for Japan-U.S. joint patrols in the same area; Taiwan building anti-craft gun towers on Itu Aba; Jakarta trying to get U.S. help to upgrade its naval bases.

In all of these activities, the diplomatic waltz can make one dizzy. Even if nations caught in the territorial disputes share strong economic relations with China there is no doubt that, at the most opportune time, Beijing will take what it already considers as its territory, despite the disagreement of ASEAN members. Under this scenario, Southeast Asia countries must seek an ally, neutral but strong enough to have a voice at international level — an alternative option between China and the United States. France could fulfill this role to ensure peace and security; indeed, the French defense policy for the Asia-Pacific is already moving in this direction.

Only one European Defense Minister has presented at the Shangri La Dialogue for consecutive years, France’s Jean-Yves Le Drian. This year, he pushed for coordinated EU patrols in the South China Sea. If his June declaration surprised the audience then, it reflected French concern about the tensions in the East and South China Seas.

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Among the first military forces in Europe, France is no stranger to the Asia-Pacific thanks to its overseas territories. According to the 2014 presentation of Asia-Pacific policy, France “has a duty to protect its citizens in Asia-Pacific countries whose number has increased by 220 percent over the last twenty years, to exceed 120,000 in 2012 – almost as large as the French population in sub-Saharan Africa.” Paris has developed a strategic relationship with most of countries in Asia and is linked to the Asia-Pacific through several treaties and political and security commitments.

It also has a toehold in Asian military deals, with France a part of 40 percent of Southeast Asian submarine contracts and 20 percent of naval projects. French strategic companies like DCNS, DCI, and Thalès are already active in Asia. French companies are set to supply submarines to Malaysia, 12 attack submarines to Australia, and 36 Rafale fighter jets to India — evidence enough that their military technology is much appreciated in this region. As a neutral superpower, Paris can help disentangle regional conflicts, even if Beijing is not very comfortable with intervention from outside Asia.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/09/france-unveils-its-defense-strategy-in-the-south-china-sea-and-beyond/