Abstract
The article examines the overlapping and conflicting claims to the South China Sea which have resulted in a stalemate. China claims the Spratly and the Paracel islands as well as the surrounding waters and has attempted to prevent the other claimants, whether Vietnam, the Philippines or Malaysia, from developing the oil and gas potential of their own claim zones. The stalemate is an uncertain one and moves to develop the energy resources of the area could result in conflict. The article then examines various approaches towards a resolution of the problem including, multilateral negotiations, as well as legal and maritime regimes. It concludes by identifying a maritime energy regime as one approach that could lead to a resolution by involving China and ASEAN giving them both a stake in the stability of the area.
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