U.S. Policy Towards the Disputes in the South China Sea Since 1995

Policy Report, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

13 Pages Posted: 23 Jul 2014

See all articles by M. Taylor Fravel

M. Taylor Fravel

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Political Science

Date Written: March 1, 2014

Abstract

U.S. policy toward the disputes in the South China Sea has four features. First, the United States has altered its policy in response to changes in the level of tensions in the dispute. Second, U.S. policy toward the South China Sea has been premised on the principle of maintaining neutrality regarding the conflicting claims to sovereignty. Third, as its involvement in managing tensions has increased, the United States has emphasized the process and principles by which claims should be pursued more than the final outcome or resolution of the underlying disputes, especially conflict management through the conclusion of a binding code of conduct between ASEAN and China. Fourth, U.S. policy in the South China Sea has sought to shape China’s behavior in the South China Sea by highlighting the costs of coercion and the pursuit of claims that are inconsistent with customary international law. Looking forward, the involvement of the United States in seeking to manage tensions in the South China Sea is likely to continue so long as the territorial and maritime jurisdictional disputes remain unresolved and states take declaratory steps and operational actions to assert and defend their claims.

Keywords: United States, China, South China Sea, policy, territorial, maritime disputes, UNCLOS

Suggested Citation

Fravel, M. Taylor, U.S. Policy Towards the Disputes in the South China Sea Since 1995 (March 1, 2014). Policy Report, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2469832

M. Taylor Fravel (Contact Author)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Political Science ( email )

77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

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