Issue Linkage in The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Is It Opportunity To Solve Security Dilemma Of Territorial Disputes In South China Sea?

This paper examines the relevance of using issue linkage by both China and ASEAN countries in their endeavour to solve conflicts and tensions arising from territorial disputes in South China Sea. The paper makes a theoretical analysis of how to solve territorial disputes in South China Sea by utilizing a fusion of issue linkage and the Chinese lead Maritime Silk Road (MSR). Using the concept of issue linkage and applying it to the MSR, the paper argues that the economic interdependence and regional integration issues in MSR have got the potential to gradually solve territorial disputes in South China Sea through transforming economic benefit issues into spill-over security functions.It argues that the MSR is an opportunity for both China and ASEAN to develop and strengthen economic engagement. regional integration and connectivity such that these aspects could motivate both parties to collectively advance economic integration and interdependence and in the long run solve security challenges ensuing in the regio