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Lee provides an in-depth analysis of China's diplomatic strategy in bilateral and multilateral negotiations on the South China Sea. Based on both documentary research and the personal experiences of the author at conferences and meetings on the issue, Lee highlights the approach adopted by China in its dealings with other parties to the dispute. Professor Lee also examines the state of cross-strait dialogues between Taiwan and China on the South China Sea.
As Professor Lee makes clear, while China has been consistent in stating that its claims over the South China Sea are indisputable, Beijing is still willing to talk about the conflicts with the parties involved. While China prefers to conduct bilateral discussions, it has not ruled out multilateral talks and cooperation in the South China Sea. However, there has been limited progress in these talks, especially those conducted at multilateral meetings. As most of the claimants are from ASEAN, the book also examines Sino-ASEAN relations in general and explores how that would affect China's conduct in South China Sea discussions. An important study for scholars, and policy makers involved in security issues in the Asia Pacific.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
The Setting for China's Dialogues with ASEAN
Formal Multilateral Dialogues
"Informal" Multilateral Talks
Bilateral Dialogues
Concluding Observations
References
Index
About the author
LEE LAI TO, former Director of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, is Associate Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore. He is the author or editor of eight books, including Trade Unions in China, The Reunification of China: PRC-Taiwan Relations in Flux, and ASEAN in the Post-Cold War Era.
