Routledge - US-China Competition and the South China Sea Disputes

Explore the shifting dynamics of global power in this essential text from the Politics in Asia series. While the South China Sea (SCS) was once absent from high-level negotiations between the United States and China, it has now risen to a strategic level of tension. This book examines why and how this region became a major flashpoint for competition between these two superpowers. Readers will gain insights into China's assertive policies adopted during the 2000s and the motivations behind its actions in the South China Sea. The text also addresses the critical question of whether these tensions could lead to actual conflict. By analyzing the current landscape, the book helps clarify what regional actors can expect in this new normal of US-China competition. It is a necessary resource for those studying international law, political science, and Asian affairs.