Managing Tensions in the South China Sea

This two-day conference featured speeches by senior administration officials, and remarks and discussion by an all-star lineup of South China Sea experts, including representatives from China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The focus of the discussion was ideas for resolving differences between the six claimants in the South China Sea.

Maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea are arguably among the most pressing security issues facing the Asia Pacific. The conference will discuss recent developments in the disputes, including the Philippines' request for UN arbitration, the role of the tensions in regional politics, the implications of international law in managing differences, and new ideas for how the disputes could be set aside to begin joint development of resources.

“Managing Tensions in the South China Sea” will provide an important opportunity for U.S. and Asian policymakers, business executives, and academics to meet with experts on the South China Sea to discuss the dispute and options for lessening the tensions.

For up to the minute updates on speakers and topics, please follow@SoutheastAsiaDC | @CSIS | #CSISLive

Conference Papers/Presentations

"Role of International Law in Managing Disputes in the South China Sea"
Henry Bensurto, Secretary General, Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Secretariat
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines

"Prospect for Joint Development in the South China Sea"
Leonardo Bernard, Research Fellow, Centre for International Law
National University of Singapore

"The Strategic Significance of the South China Sea"
Patrick M. Cronin, Senior Advisor and Senior Director, Asia-Pacific Security Program
Center for a New American Security

"China’s Realpolitik Approach in the South China Sea Dispute: The Case of the 2012 Scarborough Shoal Stand-Off"
Renato Cruz De Castro, Professor
De La Salle University

"Viribus Mari Victoria? Power and Law in the South China Sea"
Peter Dutton, Professor and Director, China Maritime Studies Institute
U.S. Naval War College

"Synergy and Sovereignty in the South China Sea"
Donald K. Emmerson, Director, Southeast Asia Forum
Stanford University

"Significance of the South China Sea: Establishment of Maritime Security Coalition: Japanese View"
VADM (ret) Hideaki Kaneda, Director
The Okazaki Institute

"Policy Recommendations to Boost Cooperation in the South China Sea"
Christian Le Mière, Senior Research Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security
Defense and Military Analysis Program, International Institute for Strategic Studies

"South China Sea in Regional Politics"
Amb. Hemant Krishan Singh, Wadhwani Chair in India-U.S. Policy Studies
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations

"Recent Developments in the South China Sea: Taiwan’s Policy, Response, Challenges and Opportunities"
Yann-huei Song, Research Fellow 
Institute of European and American Studies, Academia Sinica

"South China Sea in Regional Politics: Indonesia’s Efforts to Forge ASEAN Unity on a Code of Conduct"
Carlyle A. Thayer, Emeritus Professor
University of New South Wales, Australian Defense Force Academy

"The South China Sea: Interests, Policies and Dynamics of Recent Development"
Powerpoint Presentation
Tran Truong Thuy, Director, South China Sea Studies Program
Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

"Remarks Concerning Recent Developments in the South China Sea"
Wu Shicun, President
National Institute for South China Sea Studies

"The South China Sea Issue and the Role of International Law: a Chinese Perspective"
Xinjun Zhang, Associate Professor of Public International Law
Tsinghua University Law School

Agenda, Wednesday, June 5

0830   Registration of Participants

0900   Welcoming Remarks

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower
Senior Adviser and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

0915   Presentation: "The South China Sea in Focus"

Mr. Gregory Poling
Research Associate, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

0945   Break

1015   Significance of the South China Sea Dispute

Speakers:

Dr. Patrick M. Cronin
Senior Advisor and Senior Director, Asia-Pacific Security Program
Center for a New American Security

Mr. Alexander Metelitsa
Economist
Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy

Mr. Murray Hiebert
Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Moderator:

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower
Senior Advisor and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1145   Break for Lunch

1200   Luncheon & Keynote Speech

Keynote Address:

Mr. Joseph Y. Yun
Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Moderator:

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower
Senior Advisor and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1315   Break

1330   Recent Developments in the South China Sea

Speakers:

Dr. Wu Shicun
President
National Institute for South China Sea Studies

Dr. Renato C. De Castro
Professor
De La Salle University

Dr. Yann-Huei Song
Research Fellow
Institute of European American Studies

Dr. Tran Truong Thuy
Director, South China Sea Studies Program
Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

Moderator:

Mr. Murray Hiebert
Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1500   Break

1515   South China Sea in Regional Politics

Speakers:

Amb. Hemant Krishan Singh
Wadhwani Chair in India-U.S. Policy Studies
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations

Vice Admiral Hideaki Kaneda, JMSDF (ret.)
Director, The Okazaki Institute
The Japan Institute for International Affairs

Dr. Carlyle A. Thayer
Emeritus Professor
University of New South Wales, Australian Defense Force Academy

Dr. Donald K. Emmerson
Director, Southeast Asia Forum
Stanford University

Moderator:

Mr. Murray Hiebert
Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1700   End of Day One

Agenda, Thursday, June 6 

0800   Registration of Participants

0900   Role of International Law in Managing the Disputes

Dr. Xinjung Zhang
Associate Professor of Public International Law
Tsinghua University Law School

Mr. Henry S. Bensurto, Jr.
Secretary General, Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Secretariat
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Dr. Peter Dutton
Professor and Director, China Maritime Studies Institute
U.S. Naval War College

Dr. Nguyen Dang Thang
Vietnam Lawyer’s Association

Moderator:

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower
Senior Advisor and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1030   Coffee Break

1045   Policy Recommendations to Boost Cooperation in the South China Sea

Ms. Bonnie S. Glaser
Senior Adviser for Asia, Freeman Chair in China Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Mr. Leonardo Bernard
Research Fellow, Centre for International Law
National University of Singapore

Mr. Christian Le Miere
Senior Research Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security, Defense and Military Analysis Program
International Institute for Strategic Studies

Moderator:

Mr. Ernest Z. Bower
Senior Advisor and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies

1215   End of Conference