This report examines rising tensions in the South China Sea, which are creating a difficult set of questions for Australian strategic policy. In order to examine the origins and implications of this conflict, the paper provides an analysis of the complex political/military and international legal issues that make up the South China Sea dispute.

Australia claims jurisdiction over more of the earth than any other country—around 27.2 million square kilometres or 5% of the planet, ahead of Russia and the US. Of this, our maritime domain is around 4% of the planet’s oceans. This Strategy Report, authored by Sam Bateman and Anthony Bergin, is a new assessment of Australia’s...