Bringing together international experts, this collection provides fresh perspectives on geopolitical concerns in the South China Sea. It is an accessible, even-handed examination of current and future rivalries and challenges in one of the most strategically important and militarized maritime regions of the world.

The Philippines' long-standing policy towards China and the South China Sea dispute.

Front Cover -- Security, Strategy, and Military Dynamics in the South China Sea: Cross- National Perspectives -- Copyright information -- Table of contents -- List of tables -- Notes on Contributors -- Foreword -- Introduction: Strategic Challenges and Escalating Power Rivalry in the South China Sea -- 1 Between Competition and War: Complex Security Overlay and the South China Sea -- Introduction -- Geography and national security in the South China Sea -- Fishing resources -- Energy resources -- Security imperatives -- The South China Sea and grey zone operations -- Strategic competition Conclusion -- References -- 2 The South China Sea as an Echo Chamber of Chinese Foreign and Security Policy -- Introduction -- China in the South China Sea -- Strategic interests in the South China Sea -- The pursuit of national interests and the introduction of salami- slicing -- China's South China Sea expansion before Xi -- Under Xi: China's renewal of "divide (and isolate)and conquer" -- Echo chamber in the Taiwan Strait: midway in theexponential pressure curve -- Salami- slicing at high altitudes: the Indian- Sino borderclash(es) -- Conclusion -- References PART I Claimants of the Contested South China Sea -- 3 China's Security Interests and Strategies in the South China Sea -- Introduction -- China's holistic approach to national security -- China's perceived security interests in the South China Sea -- Territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and jurisdiction -- Overall external environment -- Homeland security -- Security and safety of sea routes of communication and trade -- Testing ground for maritime power building -- China's South China Sea strategies -- Conclusion -- References 4 Taiwan's South China Sea Policy under the Tsai Administration -- Introduction -- Responses of the Tsai administration to the South China Sea arbitration award -- The Tsai Administration's South China Sea policy principles and action plans -- Safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime (fishing) rights -- Participating in regional dialogue and multilateral negotiations -- Promoting scientific research and international cooperation -- Transforming Taiping Island into a humanitarian assistance and rescue centre -- Nurturing and encountering research talent in the law of the sea The US factor in the implementation of Taiwan's South China Sea policy -- Conclusion -- References -- 5 Vietnam and the East Sea in Its Strategic Thinking -- Lack of strategic depth and insecurity -- Offshore islands as new frontiers -- The contest for Hoàng Sa and Tru.ng Sa -- Maritime zones as security buffers -- Multi-layer defence -- Conclusion -- References -- 6 The Philippines and the South China Sea Dispute: Duterte's Hedging Approach with China and the United States -- Introduction -- Neorealism: balancing, bandwagoning, and hedging

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