Mitigating the South China Sea Disputes

This workshop assessed opportunities for reducing the risks of armed conflict over the disputed Spratly Islands by encouraging littoral states to adopt a cooperative monitoring approach that uses high-resolution commercial observation satellites.

Panel I
Policymaking Context for the South China Sea Disputes
9:15-10:45 AM
Chair: Patrick M. Cronin, U.S. Institute of Peace
Speakers:
"Diplomatic and Legal Context," Christopher Joyner, Georgetown University
"Energy Demands and Competition," Erik Kreil, U.S. Energy Information Administration
"Security Trends and Concerns," Michael McDevitt, Center for Naval Analyses

BreakPanel II
Cooperative Satellite Monitoring for the South China Sea
11:00-12:30 PM
Chair: Ray Williamson, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University
Speakers:
"Formulating a Cooperative Satellite Monitoring Regime for the South China Sea," John Baker, RAND
"Assessing the Conflict Potential of the Spratly Islands Disputes," David Wiencek, Armor Group, Inc.

Break

Panel III
Imperatives for Cooperation in the South China Sea
1:30-2:45 PM
Chair: Robert Scher, U.S. Department of Defense
Speakers:
"Environmental Challenges in Southeast Asia," Doug Fuller, George Washington University
"Piracy Problems and Cooperative Responses," Stanley Weeks, SAIC
"Cooperation on Dealing with Natural and Humanitarian Disasters," Richard Ragan, USAID

Break

Panel IV
Discussion of Policy Implications and Next Steps
3:00-4:00 PM
Chair: Patrick M. Cronin, U.S. Institute of Peace
Speaker: Judith Strotz, East & Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Discussants:
Chen Qimao, Shanghai Center for RimPac Strategic and International Studies
Robert Adamson, University of British Columbia
Ralph Cossa, Pacific Forum