The Economic Impact of the South China Sea Disputes

The South China Sea is now one of the most sensitive crossroads in the international system: a vital artery for global trade, a strategic basin of energy resources and a nerve centre where economic interests, military power and principles of international law meet — and clash. Through the analyses of Italian and Filipino diplomats, scholars and specialists, this volume explores the economic, political and strategic significance of maritime disputes in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting how the stakes go far beyond regional boundaries. From China's military modernisation to energy security risks, from the centrality of UNCLOS to the growing role of European actors such as Italy, the book offers a multidisciplinary reading of the challenges that define one of the most critical theatres of the 21st century. A fundamental truth emerges: the future of the South China Sea will be a test case for the international order. Ensuring freedom of navigation, upholding international law, and promoting cooperation and stability is not only a regional interest but a responsibility shared by all global actors. An essential resource for scholars, diplomats, analysts, and readers interested in understanding how economics, geopolitics, and law intersect in the heart of the Indo-Pacific — and how maritime tensions can affect global prosperity.