Introduction: Water Conflicts and Maritime Security Challenges in 21st Century Asia

The oceans and seas of the world are at a crucial crossroads in their history. The pace of change, driven by the globalization of the world economy, continues to accelerate, particularly in key regions of oceanic value. At the same time, issues concerning coastal administration and management are becoming increasingly widespread and complex. This volume offers an in-depth investigation into ocean conflict, governance, and strategy from an interdisciplinary perspective, involving the vast range of interactions between oceans and seas. It also explores the complexity of human activities on the oceans, with a particular focus on maritime conflicts in Asia. The purpose of this book is to examine the perspectives of key actors in Asian maritime policy and their responses to the challenges of internal and territorial security in Asian waters.