ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the influence of the international maritime regime on China's evolving policy towards the South China Sea touches upon several important theoretical questions. It explores the theoretical perspective how the evolving Law of the Sea (LOS) regime could redefine the South China Sea game and consequently shape China's understanding of the game. The LOS regime is an evolving entity that has existed throughout the history of the use of the ocean by human beings. In addition to the LOS Convention and general principles of international law, there exist a number of maritime treaties, agreements, and other legal undertakings that also have a bearing on ocean governance. On the one hand, at the center of the LOS regime is a sophisticated set of laws, norms, and procedures regulating the uses of the world's oceans and thereby defining the precise range of activities and practices over which states can legitimately exercise authority in the international maritime domain.
