Can a South China Sea Code of Conduct Help Ensure Regional Stability? Here Are Four Ways It Could Be Strengthened

Jan 8, 2019 | Aaron Rabena
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The China-Philippines Scarborough Shoal stand-off in 2012, the China-Vietnam oil-rig incident in 2014, China’s island-building and militarisation operations, the Philippines’ Permanent Court of Arbitration landmark victory in 2016 and the regular US-led freedom of navigation operations all highlight the inefficacy of the 2002 Declaration on Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea and the complex interplay of economic, environmental, legal, political and strategic issues.

The announcement of the Single Draft Negotiating Text for a code of conduct in the South China Sea last August by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China has raised hopes that such a code will ensure lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea.