In recent years, tensions in the South China Sea have escalated due to China's assertiveness in the territorial disputes and other claimants' responses. These evolvements have made the region one of the hot spots in the world, and could directly influence regional security and international trade. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the regional key stakeholder, has made efforts to defuse tensions among the claimants and seek a long-term agreement in negotiation with China for peace, stability, security and development in the region. This research examines how ASEAN, as a stakeholder of a unified block of regional states, could address the South China Sea disputes with China. It begins with the review of the nature and status of the Paracels and the Spratly Islands disputes between China, Vietnam and other claimants. The paper then uses Realism and Liberalism to analyze China's interests, strategies, policy and actions aiming at achieving its aims in the South China Sea. The paper will also evaluate ASEAN's conflict management principles, its security architectures, and its efforts in working with China to implement the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC) and negotiating for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (CoC). It ends by arguing that although ASEAN is not able to address the South China Sea disputes, it still plays the key role in managing tensions, building trust and mutual understanding, and cooperating with China to find a long-term solution which is acceptable for all South China Sea claimants.

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