Betwixt “the Wise Man and the Prince” : A Partnership in Comity and Conciliation for the South China Sea Disputes

XIV JEAIL 2 (2021) overlapping maritime zone entitlements, resource rights, boundary delimitation, military tensions, and presence of various major maritime powers and allies principally operating under defence treaties. 5 The contested islands and maritime features are, among others, the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and the Scarborough Shoal. 6 China and Taiwan have the same claims based on a nine-dash line. 7 China and Vietnam contest the Paracel Islands.The Spratly Islands comprising more than 700 reefs, islets, atolls and islands are claimed by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.Malaysia and Brunei claim the islands as part of their exclusive economic zones (EEZ). 8 The Scarborough Shoal, a 60-square mile chain of rocks and reefs, is claimed by both China and the Philippines, where the latter's claim is based on geographical proximity and history dating back hundreds of years. 9China's man-made floating and submerged reefs on Fiery Cross, Spratlies, has airstrips and missile defence systems. 10 Regional tensions exist between China, the Philippines 11 and Vietnam. 12China conducts naval manoeuvres and exercises 13 and has constructed military and industrial outposts on artificial islands. 14 The US has conducted freedom of navigation exercises in order to secure the sea lines of communication to counter China's