ABSTRACT
The maritime disputes in the South China Sea impact on a series of regional bilateral relations and continue to trouble ties between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).1 The Spratly Islands are claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam while the Paracels have been controlled by China since 1974 and are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. The maritime disputes are influenced by economic, strategic and political interests.
