ABSTRACT
This chapter takes the position that it is imperative to focus on the political–security dimension of the South China Sea dispute, i.e. the securitization of SEA and the promoters of peace first, before any claims into future gains through minimizing the gap of legitimacy of rule toward improving the governance of the common maritime area, i.e. the zone of interstate cooperation, with maritime economic development as a goal. The chapter employs a qualitative approach from a constructivist standpoint, while being fully aware of the Realist approach, usually harbored by policy makers. From secondary sources, the chapter describes securitization of the South China Sea (SCS) conflict and identifies the drivers of conflict. By desecuritizing the SCS through the identification of possible promoters of peace and stability, it provides an alternative perspective of the SCS. Finally, several short-term and long-term options to promote interstate cooperation between SEA and China are discussed.
