Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a new initiative for international cooperation. It will have a positive impact on the peaceful use of the South China Sea by encouraging a Code of Conduct to Parties in the South China Sea between China and ASEAN members; realizing a breakthrough of jointly developing oil and gas resources in the area; promoting comprehensive cooperation in maritime non-traditional security field; and providing a peaceful external environment for the South China Sea dispute settlement. The South China Sea dispute is a negative challenge to building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. However, the pace building should not be stopped because of it. In the future, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will be on the international consensus as an international legal regime. Also, it will improve the domestic legal system regarding building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road for China as well as the countries along the Belt and Road, especially the ASEAN members.

1. Introduction
2. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road under International Law
    A. The Objective of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road
    B. The Construction Mode
    C. Pluralistic and Open Process of Cooperation
3. The Positive Impact of the Silk Road on the Peaceful Use of the South China Sea
    A. Enhancing Regional Stability and Mutual Trust between China and the ASEAN
    B. Marine Non-Traditional Security Field and the South China Sea Dispute.
    C. Joint Development of Oil and Gas Resources in the South China Sea
    D. China-ASEAN Code of Conduct
    E. Free Navigation in the South China Sea and Sea Lane Security
4. The South China Sea Dispute as the Biggest Challenge to the Silk Road
    A. The Position of the South China Sea in the Silk Road Initiative.
    B. Legalization of the South China Sea Dispute
    C. Regionalization of the South China Sea Dispute
    D. Internationalization of the South China Sea Dispute
5. Conclusion and Suggestions
    A. Understandings
    B. Suggestions
References

• Zewei Yang(Center for Collaborative Innovation on Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights of Wuhan University Law School)