The nations involved in the South China Sea dispute have amplified their military expenditures and confrontations at sea have become increasingly common. The People's Republic of China and the United States are the two largest regional powers and, as such, this discussion focuses on their respective policies and implementation strategies. China claims much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory based on historical occupation and their interpretation of international law. The fear of encirclement and China's increasing dependence on sea trade further drive Chinese policy. Additionally, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines lay claim to parts of the South China Sea and fear China may seek to control the area in the future. Full color interior enhanced with word cloud, key terms, and automatic summarization.