Code for unplanned encounters at sea and its practical limitations in the east and South China seas

The Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea [CUES 2014 Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (Western Pacific Naval Symposium, 22 April 2014] was finally adopted by the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in 2014. It is an important step toward improving confidence between navies. However, as a non-legally binding document with unclear geographical scope which only applies to naval vessels and aircraft, CUES 2014 is not comprehensive or potent enough, especially in the East and South China Seas where maritime disputes are unresolved and most maritime incidents involve civilian law enforcement vessels and aircraft. This article provides a geostrategic picture of the East and South China Seas, the background of the code, and analyses the practical limitations of CUES 2014 in the context of the East and South China Seas.