Why don the six countries that claim territory in the South China Sea reach an agreement?
First, the fact that there are so many claimants makes any possible settlement more complicated. Second, for each of the claimants, domestic public opinion is a huge obstacle. No one want to see their government give up what they believe is national territory, and leaders perceived as doing this are severely criticized. Yet any settlement would require some degree of compromise where no party gets everything it asks for. Finally, China is holding out for the other claimants to submit to China’s demand, which is that each of them individually reach a settlement with China in one-on-one negotiations in which China would have a huge advantage.
