ABSTRACT
The maritime disputes often reflect tensions among the neighbouring States in East Asia and carry their own specificities. This chapter explains that all the States involved in the maritime disputes in East Asia are parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). More than discussing the reality of the modernization of China's military capabilities, especially in the navy, one may consider the strong impact on China's neighbours, especially those engaged in maritime disputes with Beijing. China's ratification of the UNCLOS has been largely influenced by the posture of its neighbours, more than a comprehensive agreement on the terms of the convention, notably on maritime disputes. The UNCLOS has become something of a Constitution for the oceans, and most of its legal authority remains intact. The UNCLOS defines three distinct areas – territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and international waters. The chapter also presents some of the key concepts of this book.
