A Strategic Perspective on Security and Naval Issues in the South China Sea

Maritime security in the South China Sea faces a number of challenges, ranging from lower-level nontraditional threats to traditional politicostrategic considerations, including the potential for conflict between regional states over territory or marine resources and the possibility of conflict between major powers. This article focuses on the major South China Sea sea lines of communication, regional naval developments, and a case study of Chinese opposition to military operations in its South China Sea exclusive economic zone. It argues that Beijing is again exhibiting a more assertive posture to bolster its strategic position in the South China Sea while the other South China Sea states are also asserting their claims and developing naval capacity.