Completed sub-projects
* Leni Stenseth:
Nationalism and Foreign Policy: the Case of China’s Nansha rhetoric
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Polit. degree at the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo in December 1998. (Result: 2.1.) The thesis addresses the influence of Chinese nationalism on the People’s Republic of China’s policy toward the Spratly Islands. It does so by investigating domestic Chinese rhetoric as found in Chinese newspapers and other periodicals used to support the People’s Republic of China’s territorial claims in the dispute over the Spratly Islands.
* Kristen Nordhaug:
Taiwan and the South China Sea region: Foreign investment, energy and security
A study of links between Taiwan's investment strategies in Southeast Asia and its policies to secure supplies of energy and other vital resources through the sea-lanes of the South China Sea in the 1990s. The project has analysed how these policies interact with the Republic of China's development strategies and with its (non-diplomatic) relations with the PRC and other countries in the region. A research article has been submitted to The Pacific Review which has asked for some revisions before a final decision is made on publication.
* Tom Næss:
Environment and Security in the South China Sea Region: The Role of Experts, Non-Governmental Actors and Governments in Regime Building Processes
A research project on the environmental situation in the South China Sea region and how environmental problems are addressed by scientists and other experts in and outside of the region. The thesis discusses to what extent an 'epistemic community' of experts has emerged, and how expert networks use their knowledge in order to bring about change in the environmental policies of the states. A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Polit. degree at the Department of Political Science was submitted to the University of Oslo in December 1999, and he was awarded his degree in February 2000 (result: 2.1). A research article has been submitted to The Pacific Review.
*Johan Henrik Nossum:
Straight Baselines of Vietnam
A research project discussing the baselines drawn in the South China Sea, primarily by Vietnam. A thesis in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the award of Cand. Jur. degree was submitted to the Faculty of Law at the University of Oslo in March 2000 (result: laudabilis/First class) The thesis seeks to elucidate which principles Vietnam can legitimately use in drawing its baselines. It also looks at baselines already drawn by Vietnam, compares them with those of other states, and discusses if they are in accordance with the principles of international law. A research article is under preparation.
* Yue Feng:
Trade, FDI and Economic Integration in the South China Sea Region
A research project analysing economic integration in parts of the South China Sea region, most notably the trade patterns and flows of foreign direct investments with the aim to determine whether economic integration reduces or increases the region's conflict potential. A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Econ. degree at the Department of Economics was submitted to the University of Oslo in May 2000. The project also resulted in a research article which has been submitted to The Pacific Review for consideration.
* Knut Snildal:
Petroleum in the South China Sea- a Chinese national interest?
A research project on the impact of China’s energy needs on its policy in the South China Sea. A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Polit. degree at the Department of Political Science was submitted to the University of Oslo in June 2000, and he was awarded his degree in September (result 2.1).
*Marius Gjetnes:
The Legal regime of Islands in the South China Sea
A research project that seeks to determine what, according to International Law, constitutes an "island" and under which principles an "island" generate a maritime zone. A thesis in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the award of Cand. Jur. degree was submitted to the Faculty of Law at the University of Oslo in November 2000. A research article has been submitted to Ocecan Development and International Law (ODIL).
* Stein Tønnesson:
The contemporary history of the South China Sea
The study, which focuses on the period since 1930, is based on archival studies in London and Paris, interviews in the region around the South China Sea, secondary literature, and database material available on the internet. A conference paper has been written, which will be published as a chapter in an edited volume, which is planned to be published by Otto Harassowitz Verlag in München. A short monograph is also under preparation.
* Stein Tønnesson:
The conflict in the South China Sea and possible ways of resolving it
A short monograph will be written on the contemporary conflict and possible ways of resolving it. The draft monograph will be submitted as a report to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and parts of it will also be used in a report to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is being written in cooperation with a group of Nordic scholars. While the monograph is being written, articles are published and talks held that analyse the conflict and suggest conflict resolutions mechanisms. Articles have so far been published in Contemporary Southeast Asia, the East Asian Institute Working Paper Series, Security Dialogue, International Herald Tribune and The Straits Times. A number of lectures and seminars have been given in various countries.
* Sveinung Johannes Sloreby:
Vietnam, China and the South China Sea
A research project on the improvement of Sino-Vietnamese relations during the 1990s. The research will result in a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Polit. degree at the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo. The project is planned to be completed in early 2001.
* Cecilie Figenschou Bakke:
The potential for subregional integration around the Gulf of Tonkin
A research project on Hainan Island, the South China Sea, and the potential for subregional integration around the Tonkin (Beibu) Gulf. As basis for China's claim to sovereignty in the Paracel Islands, and for China's claims to maritime zones in the South China Sea, Hainan is important to China's overall South China Sea policy. Its strategic location also gives Hainan a potential for playing an important role in trade and co-operation with Vietnam. The research project will result in a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Cand. Polit. degree at the Department of Political Science and Sociology of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. The project is planned to be completed in early 2001.