The History and Sovereignty of the South China Sea

Since the 1970s, a dispute involving six countries and seven parties has developed over sovereignty of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea and jurisdiction over parts of its waters. In recent years, major powers from outside the region have used the South China Sea dispute as a pretext to interfere in its affairs and pursue political, economic, and strategic interests. Professor Anthony Carty examined French, British, and American archival records on ownership of the South China Sea islands dating back to the late nineteenth century, clarifying the question of sovereignty. The archives show that the islands belong to China, a fact also recognized by Western countries and other parties to the disputes, including Vietnam. This book is of great significance to China’s efforts to resolve the South China Sea disputes, stabilize the situation, and jointly discuss a “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”.