Once forgotten reefs… historical images in the scramble for the south China sea

Abstract

Opposing claims to the disputed South China Sea and its islands reveal how different the arguments can be, ranging from legalistic to historical. These historical images, in fact, depict deeply entrenched territorial images. In this context, the Law of the Sea is used as a tool to foster claims rather than as a dispute-solving mechanism.

Keywords

• border
• South China Sea
• territorial conflict
• territorial image
• law of the sea