Reconciling Assertiveness and Cooperation? China's Changing Approach to the South China Sea Dispute

China has been rightly regarded as the most important player in the South China Sea dispute. The nature and scope of China's claim, its security posture and its military and economic activities in the area have always had profound impacts on the dynamics of the contention in the past decades. This article discusses the recent Chinese policy debate on the South China Sea, and identifies the balance between growing assertiveness and desire for cooperation as a looming policy challenge for China and other claimant parties.