Mô tả
The paper notes the evolution of the South China Sea dispute from a territorial dispute over the sovereignty of the islands and sea territory, a problem of access to the oil and gas reserves of the sea which became critical as global demand for energy rose, to an issue of strategic rivalry between the US and China. It is becoming linked with wider strategic issues relating to China’s naval strategy as it develops a naval power projection capabilityand also with America’s forward presence in the Western Pacific and its alliance relationships within the region. The paper argues that a conflict prevention agreement is necessary to prevent minor incidents from escalating into conflict pending a resolution of the conflicting claims. This agreement should include the two major protagonists, the US and China as well as the ASEAN claimants.
