Abstract
This chapter aims to explain the efforts to manage the South China Sea (SCS) dispute by employing the concept of mediation regime. Several important developments are taking place over or related to the SCS dispute. These are: the shift of the location of the contention among the disputants from the physical field to the diplomatic space within ASEAN, the incorporation of regional norms and values for the regulation of the behaviour of disputing parties, economic integration between China and ASEAN, the creation of mutually beneficial identities for the disputing parties and the efforts to re-frame the incompatible territorial claims. These developments and efforts can be considered as reflecting the functions of a mediation regime, which can be understood in terms of short-term crisis management, middle-term relationship management and long-term incompatibility management. Although the SCS mediation regime appears to have successfully managed the dispute, recent developments can be understood as the inroad of the alliance approach to the management of the SCS dispute. This approach promoted by the U.S. and accompanied with the ideas of the balance of power and deterrence works to undermine the integrative power of the SCS regime. Currently, the two approaches to managing this dispute are interacting with each other, and the final outcomes of the interaction depend on the wider bilateral relations between China and the U.S.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
International waters are the sea zone outside of the territorial waters of a littoral state with the latter usually defined as a belt of coastal waters of 12 nautical miles in breadth from the baseline (United Nations General Secretariat 1982: Articles 2 and 3). As such, international waters can include Exclusive Economic Zones and the waters above continental shelves.
- 2.
For detailed discussion on mediation regime, see Chap. 1 of this book.
- 3.
The dilemmas that the Maritime Silk Road scheme poses to China’s South China Sea policy, which is alleged to be more and more assertive to the brink of aggressiveness, are well captured in Tiezzi (2014).
- 4.
The NSC was officially presented by the then Chinese President Jiang Zumin at the informal ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, December 1997 and expounded further by Chinese President Xi Jingping at the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Shanghai, May 2014. See, Blannin (undated: 7); Yu (2014: 15–16).
- 5.
For details of these facilities and outposts created on Spratly islands by claimant countries, see, Center for Strategic and International Studies (undated).
- 6.
The U.S. conducts Freedom of Navigation (FON) operations in the SCS every year to challenge the maritime claims of the SCS disputants, including China. The FON operations may be intensified in 2015 to curb China’s reclamation works and to block China’s possible exercise of maritime rights as a result of reclamation. Contrary to its objective, this U.S. initiative may destabilise further the situation of the SCS by provoking China militarily. See, Poling (2015).
References
Abuza, Z. (2015, April 30). Washington doubles down on the Balikatan exercises. cogitASIA. http://cogitasia.com/washington-doubles-down-on-the-balikatan-exercises. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Barsky, K. (2011). Shanghai Cooperation Organization: New word in global politics. Info SCO. 22 August 2011. http://infoshos.ru/en/?idn=8692. Accessed August 29, 2012.
Beckman, C. B. (2009). Legal regimes for cooperation in the South China Sea. In S. Bateman & R. Emmers (Eds.), Security and international politics in the South China Sea: Towards a cooperative management regime (pp. 222–235). London and New York: Routledge.
Bercovitch, J., & Oishi, M. (2010). International conflict in the Asia-Pacific: Patterns, consequences and management. London: Routledge.
Blannin, P. (undated). The New Security Concept: China’s 21st century strategy for a multi-polar world. Unpublished paper. https://www.academia.edu/3358195/The_New_Security_Concept_China_s_21st_Century_Security_Strategy_for_a_Multi-polar_World. Accessed February 15, 2015.
Brunei Times (2010, November 2). Brunei: Building blocks of cooperation.
Caballero-Anthony, M. (2005). Regional security in Southeast Asia: Beyond the ASEAN way. Singapore: Institution of Southeast Asian Studies.
Center for Strategic and International Studies (undated). Spratly islands outposts and facilities. Map in “Island Tracker in Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. http://amti.csis.org/island-tracker. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Chen, J. (2015, April 9). China–US: Obstacles to a “New Type of Major Power Relations”. The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/china-us-obstacles-to-a-new-type-of-major-power-relations. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Cheng, J. Y. (2013). China-ASEAN economic co-operation and the role of provinces. Journal of Cotemporary Asia, 43(2), 314–337.
China Daily (2014, November 11). China, ASEAN embarking on cooperation of ‘Diamond Decade’. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-11/11/content_18899290.htm and http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-11/11/content_18899290_2.htm. Accessed February 16, 2015.
Chircop, A. (2010). Regional cooperation in marine environmental protection in the South China Sea: A reflection on new directions for marine conservation. Ocean Development and International Law, 41(4), 334–356.
Chomchuen, W., & Obe, M. (2014, September 28). Japan Inc. goes deeper into Southeast Asia. The Wall Street Journal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-inc-goes-deeper-into-southeast-asia-1411953543. Accessed May 5, 2015.
Chua, G. (2013, October 23). Brunei, China to step up maritime, energy ties. The Brunei Times. http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/10/12/brunei-china-step-maritime-energy-ties Accessed November 3, 2013.
Cui, T. (2015, April 16). Keynote speech by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the international conference on China–US cooperation in global security affairs. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. http://amti.csis.org/china-responds-a-speech-by-amb-cui-tiankai. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Desierto, D. (2015, January 29). The jurisdictional Rubicon: Scrutinizing China’s position paper on the South China Sea arbitration—part 1. EJIL: Talk! http://www.ejiltalk.org/the-jurisdictional-rubicon-scrutinizing-chinas-position-paper-on-the-south-china-sea-arbitration. Accessed February 3, 2015.
Devadason, E. S. (2010). ASEAN-China trade flows: Moving forward with ACFTA. Journal of Contemporary China, 19(66), 653–674. doi:10.1080/10670564.2010.485403.
Djalal, H. (2009). The South China Sea: The long road towards peace and cooperation. In S. Bateman & R. Emmers (Eds.), Security and international politics in the South China Sea: Towards a cooperative management regime (pp. 175–188). London and New York: Routledge.
Esplanada, J. E. (2012, July 3). Philippines to get 12 new patrol boats from Japan. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/45953/philippines-to-get-12-new-patrol-boats-from-japan. Accessed May 3, 2015.
Filippov, D. (2014, November 14). Japan is the best hope for US ‘Pivot’. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/JAP-01-141114.html. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Fu, K. (2011). The Chinese U-shaped line and its historical waters in the SCS. Presentation at Canada, U.S. & China: Maritime Security Issues International Conference, September 21–23, 2011. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. https://vimeo.com/42629916. Accessed April 8, 2015.
Gomez, J. (2013, October 23). Philippines, Chinese companies discuss possible joint oil and gas exploration in disputed sea. Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/business/228903891.html. Accessed November 3, 2013.
He, K. (2008). Institutional balancing and international relations theory: Economic interdependence and balance of power strategies in Southeast Asia. European Journal of International Relations, 14(3), 379–404.
Heydarian, R. J. (2012, December 7). China nudges up South China Sea tension. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NL07Ae02.html. Accessed February 14, 2015.
Heydarian, R. J. (2015, April 21). The other crisis in the South China Sea. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. http://amti.csis.org/the-other-crisis-in-the-south-china-sea. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Holmes, J. R. (2014). Strategic features of the South China Sea: A tough neighborhood for hegemons. Naval War College Review, 67(2), 30–51.
Kaplan, R. D. (2010). The geography of Chinese power: How far will China reach on land and at sea? Foreign Affairs, 89(3), 22–41.
Kaplan, R. D. (2011, August 15). The South China Sea is the future of conflict: The 21st century’s defining battleground is going to be on water. Foreign Policy. http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/08/15/the-south-china-sea-is-the-future-of-conflict. Accessed February 10, 2015.
Keck, Z. (2013, November 30). With air defense zone, China is waging lawfare. The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2013/11/with-air-defense-zone-china-is-waging-lawfare. Accesses February 16, 2015.
Khalid, N. (2012, April 2012). After the storm in the South China Sea. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/ND21Ad01.html. Accessed February 14, 2015.
Khan, S., & Yu, L. (2013). Evolving China–ASEAN relations and CAFTA: Chinese perspectives on China’s initiatives in relations to ASEAN Plus 1. European Journal of East Asian Studies, 12(1), 81–107.
Lee, K. (2012, September 15). Japan and China on a conflicting course. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/NI15Dh01.html. Accessed February 15, 2015.
Len, C. (2014, June 3). Reed Bank: South China Sea flashpoint. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-030614.html. Accessed February 14, 2015.
Li, J. (2014a). Managing tensions in the South China Sea: Comparing the China–Philippines and the China–Vietnam Approaches. RSIS Working Paper No. 273. Singapore: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.
Li, M. (2014b). Managing security in the South China Sea: From DOC to COC. Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, Issue 15. http://kyotoreview.org/issue-15/managing-security-in-the-south-china-sea-from-doc-to-coc. Accessed January 15, 2015.
Mak, J. N. (2009). Sovereignty in ASEAN and the problem of maritime cooperation in the South China Sea. In S. Bateman & R. Emmers (Eds.), Security and international politics in the South China Sea: Towards a cooperative management regime (pp. 110–127). London and New York: Routledge.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2014). Position paper of the government of the People’s Republic of China on the matter of jurisdiction in the South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Republic of the Philippines. Government of the People’s Republic of China. December 7. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1217147.shtml. Accessed February 26, 2015.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (undated). China’s position paper on the New Security Concept. Government of the People’s Republic of China. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceun/eng/xw/t27742.htm. Accessed June 24, 2015.
Muramatsu, S., & Sasaki, M. (2014, August 2). Japan to give patrol boats to Vietnam to keep China in check. The Asahi Shimbun. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201408020031. Accessed May 3, 2015.
Nguyen, H. T. (2009). The Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China sea: A Vietnamese perspective, 2002–2007. In S. Bateman & R. Emmers (Eds.), Security and international politics in the South China Sea: Towards a cooperative management regime (pp. 207–221). London and New York: Routledge.
Oishi, M. (2014). In search of an East Asian way of conflict management: Three regional cases. International Journal of China Studies, 5(3), 705–731.
Oishi, M., & Furuoka, F. (2013). The East Asian Peace and The Pax Americana: Challenges for the co-existence of two peaces. Uluslararası İlişkiler/International Relations, 10(37), 95–116.
Pajon, C. (2013, December 6). Japan’s ‘smart’ strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. The Asan Forum. http://www.theasanforum.org/japans-smart-strategic-engagement-in-southeast-asia. Accessed May 5, 2015.
Papatheologou, V., Naseer, R., & Amin, M. (2014). China’s engagement with regionalization in South and Southeast Asia: A comparative perspective. South Asian Studies/A Research Journal of South Asian Studies, 29(1), 281–290.
Parameswaran, P. (2015a, February 24). Does Asia need a new maritime organization beyond ASEAN? The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2015/02/does-asia-need-a-new-maritime-organization. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Parameswaran, P. (2015b, June 2). US launches new maritime security initiative at Shangri-La dialogue 2015. The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/us-launches-new-maritime-security-initiative-at-shangri-la-dialogue-2015. Accessed June 15, 2015.
Poling, G. (2015, April 23). Furthering U.S. strategic goals in the South China Sea. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. http://amti.csis.org/furthering-u-s-strategic-goals-in-the-south-china-sea. Accessed May 1, 2015.
Reis, J. A. (2014, January 24). China’s dual response to the US ‘pivot’. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/CHIN-01-240114.html. Accessed May 5, 2015.
Schofield, C. (2009). Dangerous ground: A geopolitical overview of the South China Sea. In S. Bateman & R. Emmers (Eds.), Security and international politics in the South China Sea: Towards a cooperative management regime (pp. 7–25). London and New York: Routledge.
Shen, J. (2002). China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea islands: A historical perspective. Chinese Journal of International Law, 1(1), 94–157.
Tamaki, T. (2015). The level of analysis of the international system. In E. Kavalski (Ed.), Encounters with world affairs: An introduction to international relations (pp. 85–103). Farnham: Ashgate.
Thayer, C. A. (2012, July 27). Behind the scenes of ASEAN’s breakdown. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NG27Ae03.html. Accessed November 3, 2013.
Thayer, C. A. (2015, April 6). Acquiescing to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea: U.S. and Australia policies of not taking sides. C3S Paper No. 0081/2015. Chennai Centre for China Studies.
Tiezzi, S. (2014, November 13). China and ASEAN: Moving beyond the South China Sea. The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2014/11/china-and-asean-moving-beyond-the-south-china-sea. Accessed February 14, 2015.
Tiezzi, S. (2015, March 30). Where is China’s Silk Road actually going? The Diplomat. http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/where-is-chinas-silk-road-actually-going. Accessed April 2, 2015.
Tran, D. L. (2004, April 7). Bird watchers, divers, tourists ignite Spratlys row. Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FD07Ad01.html. Accessed May 5, 2015.
United Nations General-Secretariat (1982). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
U.S. Department of State (2014). Limits in the Seas No. 143 China: Maritime claims in the South China Sea. December 5, 2014. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/234936.pdf. Accessed February 15, 2015.
Wallander, C. A., & Keohane, R. O. (2002). Risk, threat and security institutions. In R. O. Keohane (Ed.), Power and governance in a partially globalized world (pp. 88–114). New York: Routledge.
Walt, S. M. (2011, November 2). Offshore balancing: An Idea whose time has come. Foreign Policy, http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/11/02/offshore_balancing_an_idea_whose_time_has_come. Accessed November 18, 2011.
Wang, G. (1968). Early Ming relations with Southeast Asia: A background essay. In J. K. Fairbank (Ed.), The Chinese world order: Traditional China’s foreign relations (pp. 34–62). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
Wang, K. (2001). Bridge over troubled waters: Fisheries cooperation as a resolution to the South China Sea Conflicts. The Pacific Review, 14(4), 531–551.
WantChina Times (2014, February 11). US program challenges Beijing’s South China Sea claims. http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140211000089&cid=1101. Accessed May 3, 2015.
Xu, X. (2012). One Chia, two worlds: Taiwan and China’s quest for identity and security. In P. J. Katzenstein (Ed.), Sinicization and the rise of China: Civilizational processes beyond East and West (pp. 65–96). London and New York: Routledge.
Yu, L. (2014, May 29). Securing a new concept: China presents a fresh vision of regional security at Asian cooperation summit. Beijing Review. http://www.bjreview.com.cn/print/txt/2014-05/26/content_620697.htm. Accessed February 18, 2015.
Zou, K. (2006). Joint development in the South China Sea: A new approach. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, 21(1), 83–109.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Oishi, M. (2016). The South China Sea Dispute: Formation of a Mediation Regime and Challenges for Management. In: Oishi, M. (eds) Contemporary Conflicts in Southeast Asia. Asia in Transition, vol 3. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0042-3_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0042-3_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-0040-9
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-0042-3
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)