Chapter 12: An Assessment of the Strategic Situation in the South China Sea

2016 is an important year for setting the tone for the future of the South China Sea issue. In the first half of the year, centering on the South China Sea arbitration case, all parties concerned continued to interpret policies, adjust and wield force, and carry out a variety of political, diplomatic, and even military actions. After the issuance of the arbitration award, they managed to effectively control actions that might lead to fierce confrontation simultaneously, and finally led the South China Sea issue into the path of negotiations and consultations.