This paper deals with the territorial conflicts in the South-China Sea. These conflicts appear to be deteriorating which gives reason to suggest preventive diplomacy is failing. It is the how and...Show moreThis paper deals with the territorial conflicts in the South-China Sea. These conflicts appear to be deteriorating which gives reason to suggest preventive diplomacy is failing. It is the how and why of this failing that this paper is focused on. This paper will argue that because of the rising Chinese threat, ASEAN has tried to reform itself but this reform does not work as well in practice as in theory. ASEAN is having trouble finding a suitable role for itself in the conflicts. Instead of choosing to confront a state and settling the matter once and for all, ASEAN has always chosen a more avoidance-based tactic. This is however not working now as one state does not play by these rules and seems prepared to push the conflicts to the limits.Show less