Pulau Layang-Layang in Malaysia's South China Sea Policy: Sovereignty Meets Geopolitical Reality amid China-U.S. Rivalry

Pulau Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef) is central to Malaysia's South China Sea policy. First, the "island" is the first of five features in the South China Sea occupied by Malaysia. Second, since 1983, by exercising exclusive and effective control over Layang Layang, Malaysia has display...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of China studies 2021-12, Vol.12 (2), p.189-222
Main Authors: Meng, Lai Yew, Cheng-Chwee, Kuik, Abdullah, Amy Azuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archives & records
Disputes
Geopolitics
Islands
Jurisdiction
Memoranda
Pragmatism
Reality
Sovereignty
State
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Summary:Pulau Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef) is central to Malaysia's South China Sea policy. First, the "island" is the first of five features in the South China Sea occupied by Malaysia. Second, since 1983, by exercising exclusive and effective control over Layang Layang, Malaysia has displayed its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area. Third, with a Malaysian naval station and airstrip, Layang-Layang is Malaysia's most valuable strategic asset in the South China Sea. Drawing on archival materials and open sources, this paper traces Malaysia's policy actions vis-a-vis Pulau Layang-Layang, before unpacking the features and factors underpinning the smaller state's multi-pronged approaches towards the South China Sea disputes. We argue that Malaysia's policies regarding Pulau Layang-Layang and the broader South China Sea issue have been and will continue to be driven by small-state pragmatism to balance national sovereignty and geopolitical reality amid the growing U.S.-China rivalry.
ISSN:2180-3250