The South China Sea has become increasingly unstable due to the US-China rivalry. China and Southeast Asian countries are developing their own strategies to address the situation. China aims to ease disputes through cooperation with ASEAN countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, but also asserts its interests and claims in the South China Sea. This includes a strong stance in diplomatic negotiations and the use of military force to gain control of contested islands. The Chinese navy has been harassing other countries and conducting military exercises in the region. The aggressive approach towards the South China Sea began with Xi Jinping's leadership in 2013, and with his re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party in 2022, it is likely that China will continue to pursue Xi's policy on the issue for the next five years.

In 2023, the NPC is expected to be held as usual, and it will likely be an important event in the political calendar of China. During the 2023 NPC, important decisions regarding the country's domestic and foreign policies, as well as its economic and social development, are expected to be made. One notable event that may occur during the 2023 NPC is the re-election of Xi Jinping as the country's president, as he is widely expected to be re-elected for a third term in accordance with recent changes to the country's constitution.

This forum invites scholars and experts from South China Sea-surrounding countries to share their insights on the current situation in the region, following Xi Jinping's expected re-election. The discussions will primarily focus on the question of whether China and the United States will continue their "fight without breaking" strategy in the South China Sea, and how the surrounding ASEAN countries will address the situation. Additionally, the forum will address the question of how Taiwan, as another stakeholder, should respond to the developments in the region.

The South China Sea Policy Research Lab at National Sun Yat-sen University is organizing an academic forum to provide an opportunity for foreign scholars and experts from Southeast Asian countries to engage in a comprehensive discussion about the future of the South China Sea.

This forum plans to invite 9 participants: 2 Vietnamese scholars, 2 Philippine scholars, 2 Indonesian scholars, 2 Malaysian scholars, and a Taiwan scholar for joint discussions.