The South China Sea stands today as one of the most sensitive crossroads of the international system – a vital artery for global trade, a strategic reservoir of energy resources, and a pivotal space where economic interests, military power, and international law intersect and collide.
Through the insights of diplomats, scholars, and experts from Italy and the Philippines, this volume examines the economic, political, and strategic dimensions of the maritime disputes in the Indo-Pacific, revealing how the stakes reach far beyond regional boundaries. From China’s military modernisation to the risks facing energy security, from the central role of UNCLOS to the growing engagement of European actors such as Italy, the book offers a multidisciplinary exploration of one of the most critical theatres of the twenty-first century.
A central truth emerges: the future of the South China Sea will serve as a litmus test for the international order. Upholding freedom of navigation, supporting international law, and fostering cooperation and stability are not merely regional interests, but shared global responsibilities. An essential resource for scholars, diplomats, analysts, and readers seeking to understand how economics, geopolitics, and law converge at the heart of the Indo-Pacific – and how maritime tensions may shape the prosperity of the world.