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

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

Malaysia

South China Sea

Pulau Layang-Layang

Sovereignty

China

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-à-vis Pulau Layang-Layang, before unpacking the features and factors underpinning the smaller state’s multipronged 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.

KUIK, Cheng-Chwee

LAI, Yew Meng

ABDULLAH, Amy Azuan

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHINA STUDIES; International Journal of China Studies Vol.12 No.2 December 2021; 189-222

2180-3250

Institute of China Studies, Universiti Malaya

2021-12-31

Copyright (c) 2021 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHINA STUDIES

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Peer-reviewed Article