ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the implications of China's realpolitik approach in resolving the South China Sea dispute on regional security and stability. It also addresses the following corollary questions: What is the legal basis of China's claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea? What are the realpolitik tactics China is applying in pursuit of its territorial claims in the South China Sea? How were these tactics reflected during the 2012 Scarborough stand-off between the Philippines and China? How are the other claimant states reacting to China's realpolitik approach? And what will be the long-term implication of China's realpolitik approach in resolving the South China Sea dispute? Confronted with China's growing naval prowess, littoral/ maritime states, both in Northeast and Southeast Asia, are apprehensive that China might seize some of the disputed islands in the East China Sea and South China Sea given the potential energy reserves of these maritime territories, and their importance as sea lines of communications (SLOCs).
