An Empirical Analysis of Claimant Tactics in the South China Sea

Authors

Christopher D. Yung, Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
Patrick McNulty, Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University

Files

Description

China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei all claim some or all of the land features and maritime territory in the South China Sea. One notable aspect of the South China Sea dispute is that its advocates argue past one another with little reference to a common set of facts. Another is the absence of comprehensive data on the actions claimants have taken to advance or protect their claims. The Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at the National Defense University (NDU) set out to create a comprehensive database documenting the various tactics pursued by South China Sea claimants over an 18-year timeframe (1995–2013). This paper draws upon that data to analyze what tactics South China Sea claimants are employing and to present some potential considerations for U.S. and allied policymakers.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Publication Date

8-2015

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Recommended Citation

Yung, Christopher D. and McNulty, Patrick, "An Empirical Analysis of Claimant Tactics in the South China Sea" (2015). Strategic Forums. 89.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-forums/89