BEYOND WHAT WAS SAID : AN ANALYSIS ON THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' REJECTION OF THE 2016 SOUTH CHINA SEA ARBITRAL RULING
- 주제어 (키워드) South China Sea , Diplomatic Framing , South China Sea Arbitral Ruling , UNCLOS , ASEAN
- 발행기관 서강대학교 국제대학원
- 지도교수 김재천
- 발행년도 2025
- 학위수여년월 2025. 8
- 학위명 석사
- 학과 및 전공 국제대학원 International Relations
- 실제 URI http://www.dcollection.net/handler/sogang/000000081862
- UCI I804:11029-000000081862
- 본문언어 영어
- 저작권 서강대학교 논문은 저작권 보호를 받습니다.
초록 (요약문)
China’s position on the South China Sea (SCS) involved diplomatic statements articulating its rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. Analyzing these statements reveals the strategic use of communication to justify its stance and propose alternative mechanisms for dispute resolution. While previous studies have examined the issue from various angles–legal, geopolitical and security–limited research has focused on China’s official government documents. This study applies the Framing Theory and Strategic Narrative, using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis to interpret the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The findings highlight five dominant themes in China’s rejection: refusal of third-party arbitration, historical-legal justification of territorial claims, diverse approaches to diplomatic discourse, the promotion of the dual-track approach, and the elaborating on matters concerning other states. This research aims to provide research analysis based on official diplomatic language, revealing how strategic communication is employed to legitimize non-compliance and shape regional narratives–an area often overlooked in international legal and diplomatic scholarship.
more목차
I. Introduction 1
II. Historical Background 3
A. Contested Areas 3
B. Contrasting Basis for Territorial Claims 4
C. Timeline 6
D. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official Press Releases 9
III. Literature Review 11
A. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 11
B. Theoretical Interpretations to China's Strategy in the South China Sea 16
C. US-China Rivalry in the South China Sea 17
D. Framing Theory and Strategic Narrative Theory. 18
E. China's Strategies in response to the South China Sea Issue. 19
IV. Methodology and Findings. 27
A. Research Question 27
B. Theoretical Framework 27
C. Research Method 28
D. Data Analysis: What are the Dominant and Recurring Themes. 30
E. Findings. 33
F. Results of the Thematic Analysis 34
Theme 1: Legal Discourse 35
Theme 2: Dual Track Approach 39
Theme 3: Diplomatic Discourse 42
Theme 4: Sovereignty Claims 47
Theme 5: Matters regarding other states. 50
G. Limitations 52
H. Summary on the Findings 52
V. Discussion & Conclusion 53
A. Framing Strategy 54
B. Strategic Repetition 55
C. Contradictions in Narrative and Practice 56
D. Implications for International Legal Norms. 57
E. ASEAN's Position and Regional Responses. 58
F. Strategic Silence and Omission 59
G. Political Implications 60
H. Conclusion 64
VI. Appendices 66
VII. References 73
