BLUF

The expanding its presence in disputed South China Sea waters, challenges the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the primary framework for maritime governance, and raises concerns about the rules-based international order.

Learning Outcomes 

  • Analyse China's strategic activities in the South China Sea, including island-building, maritime patrols, and the use of administrative and environmental measures to reinforce territorial claims.
  • Evaluate the role and significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in maintaining a rules-based maritime order and managing international maritime disputes.
  • Assess the implications of maritime competition and legal challenges in the Indo-Pacific region for regional security, freedom of navigation, and the economic and strategic interests of countries such as Australia and the Philippines. 
READ: China pushes harder in South China Sea – as global attention drifts away

References