Abstract

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This paper seeks to provide an overview on major issues in the South China Sea. Following the introductory section, a summary of the Philippines arbitration case against China which was convened before a tribunal in The Hague under the UNCLOS treaty is provided. Next a description of US freedom of navigation operations and their objective is given. In the final section the policy recommendations of American scholars, specifically those in the top US think-tanks, are summarized, and descriptions of possible Chinese government reactions to these policies is provided. Based on these summaries, it is possible to understand how events may unfold in the region in the near-future depending on the strategic decision the US government makes regarding tactics such as freedom of navigation operations or increased military support to allies and partners in the region.​