World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues
Year : 2017, Volume : 21, Issue : 1
First page : ( 80) Last page : ( 99)
Print ISSN : 0971-8052. Online ISSN : 0974-0937.

China's strategy on the South China Sea disputes

Singh Leishangthem Bimolchand

Online published on 4 May, 2017.

Abstract

In recent decades, the People's Republic of China has asserted historic claims to about eighty per cent of the South China Sea, a strategic area that holds vast mineral and energy resources and is regarded as a “maritime super highway” between the Indian and Pacific oceans. China's claims, supported by its growing military might are opposed by several ASEAN member-nations backed by the US. While occasionally using force against other claimants, Beijing has also resorted to diplomacy and initiated various dialogue processes in regional fora to maintain peace while upholding the legitimacy of its “Nine Dash Line” as a boundary for its maritime sovereign zone. This article surveys the Chinese naval build-up as well as parallel bilateral and multilateral negotiations conducted by the PRC with ASEAN member-states.

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