The Multi-dimensional Dispute in South China Sea.

This paper aims at examining the historical and current situations of Spratly dispute and explaining the strategies of several major actors involved in the dispute, including China, Vietnam, Philippine, Malaysia, and Brunei. Characterized by a multi-dimensional concern, the Spratly dispute is a scenario where conflict exists among several economically interdependent states. Under such situation, the traditional strategies such as balancing and bandwagoning are not enough. In order to ensure survival and get maximal interests, states adopt pragmatic policies toward each other. Therefore, in the area of South China Sea, both cooperation and confrontation exist; and balancing and bandwagoning can be detected and understood. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]