China and Vietnam – Managing Disputes in the South China Sea

ISDP Forum with Dr. Ramses Amer

Associate Fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy and Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Research from Uppsala University

Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 10.00-11.30

During this ISDP Forum, Dr. Amer will examine the China-Vietnam approach to managing their disputes in the South China Sea. The presentation will provide an overview of the bilateral approach to managing border disputes in the period since full normalisation between China and Vietnam in 1991. This overview will include both progress made in terms of dispute management and challenges faced in terms of tension. In relation to the South China Sea situation, the China-Vietnam approach will highlight how the two countries deal with their differences and manage them. The focus will be on recent developments and highlight the period 2009-2011 when tensions periodically increased followed by subsequent efforts in managing the tension and reinforcing the management mechanisms. Scenarios for future developments will be explored. The presentation will be concluded by an assessment of progress made in terms of dispute management and of remaining challenges for China and Vietnam.

Dr. Ramses Amer is a senior research fellow at the Department of Oriental Languages at Stockholm University and an Associated Professor in Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. He is also an associated fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy. His main areas of expertise are regional collaboration, security issues, conflict resolution in East- and Southeast Asia and the role of the United Nations in the international system.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP by April 15, 2014 to Ms. Anna Nielsen at anielsen@isdp.eu