« What lies ahead for the South China Sea disputes after the Hague tribunal ruling ? »

In the modern era, China has been the world’s greatest beneficiary of rules designed to promote global security and economic openness. Nevertheless, China is using its growing reach to discard or change these rules as it sees fit, seeking a “might makes right” approach to the seas. Against this background, the conference will provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and analysis of the future of the South China Sea disputes after 3 years of the Hague tribunal ruling. It will feature international speakers addressing the roles and limits of international law to make a meaningful contribution to a rules-based global order in a battleground of norms in the South China Sea, seeking policy options to counter China’s assertive expansion strategy under the so-called “salami slicing” and “cabbage strategy” activities for incrementally gaining a greater degree of control over land features, waters, and air space in the South China Sea, and discovering international and regional cooperation mechanism in order to govern the sustainability of the South China Sea.