ABSTRACT
This chapter examines several aspects of the past, present, and future role of Taiwan in a variety of South China Sea issues. The received wisdom at that time was that these disputes, and that pertaining to the Spratlys in particular, encompassed "the key" to the South China Sea. Once the physical geography of the South China Sea is understood, however, the issue or issues regarding the importance of sovereignty over the islands as stated above appear somewhat unlikely. The South China Sea workshop process began modestly with the First Workshop on Managing Potential Conflicts in the South China Sea convened in Bali, Indonesia, in February 1990. Recent research suggests that the South China Sea is very unlikely to provide the means whereby the energy security needs of the East and Southeast Asian regions will be satisfied. No-one addressing hydrocarbon issues in the South China Sea should ignore either.
