1. Introduction -- 2. Historical Background -- 3. Economic Aspects of the Spratly Dispute -- 4. Strategic Aspects of the Spratlys: China and Taiwan -- 5. Strategic Aspects: The ASEANs -- 6. The Great Powers in the South China Sea: The United States, Russia and Japan -- 7. Indonesian Mediation -- 8. Geo-Political Aspects of the Dispute -- 9. The Rising Power of China in East Asia -- 10. Conclusion