The South China Sea: Challenges and Promises

About the Book

The world knows there are troubled waters in the South China Sea. This vital sea has long been regarded as a major source of tension and instability in Asia. The tense geopolitical standoff between China and Vietnam continues to create confusion for many observers since both nations invoke both history and international law to justify their respective claims of sovereignty. The complex and deeply rooted relationship of these two nations and their prominently argued issues over atolls, oil rigs, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), freedom of navigation, military surveillance, security interests, unexplored vast oil and gas reserves, and fisheries has only succeeded in forging a closer tie between two former enemies: the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

About the Author

DR. LESZEK BUZYNSKI was previously the Dean of the Graduate School of International Relations from September 1997 until September 2001 and concurrently Director of the IUJ Research Institute. His publications include Asia Pacific Security: Values and Identity (RoutledgeCurzon, 2004), Russian Foreign Policy after the Cold War (Praeger, 1996), and Gorbachev and Southeast Asia (Routledge, London, 1992). JEROME A. COHEN is a professor at New York University School of Law and a Fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. His publications include People's China and International Law (Princeton University Press, 1974) and The Criminal Process in the People's Republic of China, 1949-63: An Introduction (Harvard University Press, 1968). DR. PATRICK CRONIN is the Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). His major publications include: Global Strategic Assessment, 2009: America’s Security Role in a Changing World; Civilian Surge: Key to Complex Operations (co-editor); The Impenetrable Fog of War: Reflections on Modern Warfare and Strategic Surprise; The Evolution of Strategic Thought: Adelphi Paper Classics; and Double Trouble: Iran and North Korea as Challenges to International Security. JEAN PIERRE FERRIER has been an Honorary Professor at University of Paris since 2006. His published works include Democratization and International Governance, Reflection on Violence, and Intensive Impact of the Koran. DR. SUBHASH KAPILA is a graduate of the Royal British Army Staff College and holds a Masters in Defence Science (Madras University) and A PhD in Strategic Studies (Allahabad University). He is the author of India's Defence Policies and Strategic Thought: A Comparative Analysis and writes extensively on foreign policy issues and strategic affairs. DR. DMITRY VALENTINOVICH MOSYAKOV is the Director of the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. DR. NGUYEN QUANG NGOC has spent over twenty years studying antique maps and documents relating to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. He is the Director of National University's Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science. DR. NGUYEN NHA is the Head of Viet Kitchen Project (formerly Institute for Vietnamese Gastronomic Research) and President of Lạc Việt Ca trù and Poem Singing Club. M.A. GREGORY B. POLING is a fellow with the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies and the Pacific Partners Initiative at CSIS. His publications include The South China Sea in Focus: Clarifying the Limits of Maritime Dispute (CSIS, July 2013) and a coauthor of From Strength to Empowerment: The Next Generation of U.S.-Malaysia Relations (CSIS, May 2012), Sustainable Energy Futures in Southeast Asia (CSIS, December 2012), and A U.S.-Indonesia Partnership for 2020: Recommendations for Forging a 21st Century Relationship (CSIS, September 2013). His current research interests include disputes in the South China Sea, democratization in Southeast Asia, and Asian multilateralism. M.A. LUU ANH RO former Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief of Review of History and Geography (Tập San Sử Địa) at Saigon Pedagogy University. In 1975, he published Tập San Sử Địa Number 29 “The Paracels & Spratlys Special Research" and organized historical materials exhibition of Vietnam's sovereignty over Paracels and Spratlys. Currently, he is the General Secretary of the Danang Historical Sciences Association. DR. CARLYLE THAYER is internationally acknowledged for his expertise in Vietnamese studies and Southeast Asian politics and regional security. He has written over 400 publications, ranging from single-authored, co-authored, edited, and co-edited books to research monographs, book chapters, journal articles, electronic journals, radio commentaries, and opinion editorials in leading newspapers. He is the former national secretary of the Asian Studies Association of Australia and was a founder and national secretary of the Vietnam Studies Association of Australia. M.A. BUI VAN TIENG is the President of the Danang Historical Sciences Association. DR. NGUYEN DAI TRANG holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours Economics from Concordia University (Montréal), a Masters in Economics, and a PhD (2004) in Interdisciplinary Studies and Asian Research both from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver). She is the author of two books on Ho Chi Minh, both written in English and Vietnamese, published in 2010 and 2013. She is currently a Professor and Program Coordinator in International Development and International Business at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is also a Director of the Canada–Vietnam Trade Council, a non-profit organization that promotes trade and investment between the two countries. KONAPALLI RAJA REDDY was the Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian and Pacific Studies from 2002-2004 and 2006-2008. He is a member of the Academic Senate, S.V. University, Tirupati; Academic Senate, Kakatiya University, Warangal; BOS, Acharya Nagarjuna University; BOS, Centre for South & Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras, Chennai; and Independent Advisory Group, Dept. of Forests, Government of Andhra Pradesh. GENERAL (RET.) DANIEL SCHAEFFER graduated from the French Cadet school of Saint-Cyr in 1965, from the French Staff College in international relations – languages branch (Chinese) in 1982, and from the French National Institute of Foreign Languages and Civilizations in 1986 at the level of Master degree. He served thrice as a defense attaché, in Thailand (1986-89), in Vietnam (1991-95) where he opened the office therefore becoming the first French defence attaché there, and in China (1997- 2000). When he retired he decided to bring his expertise in international relations with the Asian countries to the French community.