The united states and the south China sea dispute

Maritime disputes involving contests over the control of islands, reefs, atolls, cays, marine and sea based resources have become an increasingly important concern in Southeast and East Asia. The states in the Asia Pacific have a distinctly strong maritime orientation, as this is a region encompassing a huge maritime area and overlapping maritime interests. The major threat to regional security in this region are maritime disputes which involve competing claims over islands, continental shelf, EEZ boundaries and other offshore resources. These territorial disputes if not timely resolved can evolve into serious threats that hinder regional stability and freedom of navigation. The unresolved South China issue has become a stumbling block to the establishment of peace and cordial inter-state relations in Southeast Asia. Furthermore this dispute is not just confined between the claimants, but he United States is also using this dispute as a platform to stage its comeback in the Asia- Pacific region.