11 - Rethinking the coastal states’ and user states’ interests in the South China Sea: bridging the perception gap and sharing the responsibilities

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This chapter aims to bridge the perception gap between coastal states and user states of the South China Sea, by analysing the post-2002 development in the South China Sea dispute through both the claimant states’ and external states’ perspectives. This chapter chooses the international navigation regime as a case study in order to explore the gap between coastal states and user states. The author suggests four steps in bridging the gap of the different interpretations on the navigation regime. First, a bilateral coordination mechanism should be initiated between relevant states to build up mutual confidence. Second, third party compulsory forums under the UNCLOS should play their role in defining the scope of freedom of navigation in a foreign state’s EEZ to address the ongoing contention due to advanced development in military technology. Third, there is the convergence of interests of both the littoral states and user states, calling for charting a maritime security cooperation mechanism which encourages the awareness of shared responsibilities among the littoral states and user states in order to achieve short-term and long-term security and safety of navigation in the South China Sea. Fourth, the idea of “changing ways of thinking” should be introduced to SCS policymakers and scholars as a foundation to lead their policy and research direction in seeking to maximise consensus and to bridge the gap on many issues including international navigation.