Rising tensions in troubled waters: Philippines' and China's competing claims in the South China Sea

Abstract

The South China Sea territorial dispute has attracted the attention of the world due to the many countries involved in the fight over territory and sovereignty claims of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The geographical location of the South China Sea is important economically and strategically significant, making it a vital asset for any of the surrounding states. China and the Philippines are the most active and vocal claimants in the dispute. This dissertation concludes that these two countries' actions in the South China Sea can spark an arms race. And the role of non-claimant states such as the United States, Japan and Russia contributes in the prediction of the dispute's future outcome and possible resolutions for peace in the region.

The South China Sea territorial dispute has attracted the attention of the world due to the many countries involved in the fight over territory and sovereignty claims of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The geographical location of the South China Sea is important economically and strategically significant, making it a vital asset for any of the surrounding states. China and the Philippines are the most active and vocal claimants in the dispute. This dissertation concludes that these two countries' actions in the South China Sea can spark an arms race. And the role of non-claimant states such as the United States, Japan and Russia contributes in the prediction of the dispute's future outcome and possible resolutions for peace in the region.