Competing maritime claims and enduring disputes in the South China Sea

The South China Sea is both a key artery for maritime trade and a repository of marine biodiversity of global significance. This semi-enclosed sea also hosts enduring maritime disputes related to the definition of baselines, delineation of maritime limits and delimitation of maritime boundaries. These issues are highlighted with particular reference to the implications of the South China Sea case between China and the Philippines. It is suggested that competing maritime jurisdictional visions arising from this case and non-compliance with its findings on the part of China set the scene for ongoing maritime conflict in the South China Sea.