Beckman, Robert; Schofield, Clive; Townsend-Gault, Ian; Davenport, Tara; Bernard, Leonardo --- "Factors conducive to joint development in Asia – lessons learned for the South China Sea" [2013] ELECD 768; in Beckman, Robert; Townsend-Gault, Ian; Schofield, Clive; Davenport, Tara; Bernard, Leonardo (eds), "Beyond Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013) 291

Book Title: Beyond Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea

Editor(s): Beckman, Robert; Townsend-Gault, Ian; Schofield, Clive; Davenport, Tara; Bernard, Leonardo

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781781955932

Section: Chapter 11

Section Title: Factors conducive to joint development in Asia – lessons learned for the South China Sea

Author(s): Beckman, Robert; Schofield, Clive; Townsend-Gault, Ian; Davenport, Tara; Bernard, Leonardo

Number of pages: 21

Abstract/Description:

Joint development in the South China Sea has been suggested as a solution to the Spratly Islands disputes since the 1980s. China was one of the earliest proponents of ‘setting aside the dispute and pursuing joint development’. The South China Sea Workshops on Managing Potential Conflicts in the South China Sea discussed joint development but ran into a number of obstacles, notably because of longstanding sensitivities over sovereignty issues and conflicting maritime claims. Consequently, the Workshops sought to focus on less contentious issues such as cooperation on marine biodiversity and the safety of navigation. Through this non-confrontational, non-binding and incremental approach, the Workshops were instrumental in building trust and confidence among the claimants and in getting them to consider co-operative measures in areas of common interest. As alluded to in the Introduction to this book, the debate surrounding the South China Sea is evolving to the point where a meaningful discussion on implementing joint development of hydrocarbon resources is not only possible but increasingly critical. Indeed, there are compelling reasons why the claimants should begin discussion on how to set aside their sovereignty and maritime disputes and pursue joint development.