THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE FUTURE OF THE REGIONAL MARITIME ORDER

Against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, rapid technological transformation, and evolving maritime security challenges, the 18th South China Sea International Conference, themed “Contestation, Connectivity, and Cooperation: The South China Sea and the Regional Maritime Order,” brought together nearly 300 policymakers, diplomats, military representatives, security practitioners, and scholars from more than 40 countries and territories to exchange views on the future of the regional maritime environment. Hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam with support from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Vietnam Office, the conference provided a platform for dialogue and policy exchange on issues of shared regional and global importance. Over its 18 editions, the conference has developed into one of the region’s leading forums for discussions on maritime affairs and regional security.