ABSTRACT
What would result if China embarked upon a more aggressive policy in establishing its historical claims to the hotly disputed Spratly Islands? The stakes for doing so could rise in the coming decade for a number of reasons. One of these reasons stems from the strategically integral location of the Spratly archipelago in the midst of international shipping lanes running through the South China Sea. Another, even more important, motivation is tied to the large estimated reserves of both oil and natural gas. Such resources make the Spratlys a particularly attractive target for a country like China, whose energy consumption is rising at a rate commensurate with its booming economy and improving position as a global power. And while China currently acquires the bulk of its oil and natural gas from Russia and Saudi Arabia, its rising consumption and related desire to lower prices make the search for other supply sources increasingly critical.
