<DIV>Contemporary maritime security concentrates on safe navigation and inhibiting transnational crimes, including sea piracy and maritime terrorism. Maritime environmental security and search and rescue at sea are also important. Sea lanes provide vital connections for the growth of the global economy and the wellbeing of people everywhere; they are of particular importance for the East Asian region, as most trade is undertaken on the ocean. Booming economies in the region such as China and Vietnam put more pressure on sea lanes, triggering concern for the safety of navigation. In this book, the editors and contributors identify salient issues for academic debate, and further explore those that have practical implications for the safety of navigation in East Asia. The book's four sections look at the safety of navigation and the search for a cooperative mechanism, consider the international legal framework and its implications for East Asia, present national perspectives on the safety of navigation, and consider navigational issues in the South China Sea.<BR><BR><BR></div>