China has always been active in the South China Sea, but its recent activities are blatantly
assertive. This has set off an alarm bell and making the South China Sea as potential
flashpoints for conflicts. Simultaneously, China has demonstrated its more than willing
stance to forcefully assert what it claims to be its historical rights in the South China Sea.
ASEAN sees China as not a „team-player‟ and China has lost its trust. On the one hand,
China has stated many times its willingness to settle the disputes peacefully, but on the
other hand, it keeps on militarizing and building more made-made islands. China‟s policy
is oscillating and making it harder for ASEAN to negotiate a peaceful solution.
Moreover, other countries are getting involved, especially the US. Before ASEAN can
respond, it has to understand China‟s motives and other factors that may assist or negate
its responses. The research methodology includes analyzing both primary and secondary
resources for their contents. After diligently balancing the issues, it is clear that solutions
to the South China Sea conflict will remain elusive in the near future. Therefore, the
research concludes that, in the absence of any viable solution, the alternative is to
cooperate with China.
