Abstract:

The paper examines the South China Sea impasse between China and its neighbours in the region as well as the United States, which tries to see the sea as an open maritime area for international navigation. Using the secondary documented literature, findings show that the South China Sea is naturally endowed with variegated natural resources ranging from oil, gas and habitable islands that can be developed and this is the reason behind the impasse. The paper concludes that the South China Sea is increasingly a hotspot of conflict between China and the US; it is the subject of several overlapping territorial disputes. Like in most geopolitical tensions, trade would be a prime casualty in case of an escalation. The paper recommends that China, which is the claimant of the South China Sea, and other countries involved should dialogue and come up with policies that are favourable to all parties involved.