Ocean Governance and Conflict in the East and South China Sea: Negotiating Natural Resources, Institutions and Power.

The article reviews Christian Schultheiss's book *Ocean Governance and Conflict in the East and South China Sea: Negotiating Natural Resources, Institutions and Power*, which examines over three decades of negotiations among claimant states in the East and South China Seas. The book argues that successful cooperation depends on the confidence that agreements will not inadvertently enhance a rival's bargaining power, a concern shared by both smaller and larger states. Through a comparative and historically grounded analysis of fisheries, resource development, maritime law enforcement, and conflict management agreements—including cases involving and excluding China—Schultheiss explores how legal frameworks, power dynamics, and diplomacy shape ocean governance amid territorial disputes. The work offers valuable insights for policymakers and scholars interested in Asian security, maritime law, and international negotiations.