Since the 1950s disputes over territory in the South and Each China Sea among the People´s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam threaten political stability and peace in the region. With no precisely defined borders, territorial claims tend to encounter resistance. The deep interest expressed by all the involved actors derives primarily from economic and security-related reasons although striving for power can clearly be identified as an underlying motif.

In this synopsis, Stephanie Radwanski deals with the long lasting disputes over territory in the South and East China Sea. After giving a short introduction to the conflict, the author summarises the latest developments and changes in 2013 to finally give a prospect on possible outcomes.