South China Sea has been an issue of interest to many countries in the region for a very long period of time. The area has numerous strategic advantages and has become a hot-spot both in geopolitical and economic terms. Although the waters are a vital transport route and a rich fishing ground, conflict has arisen in recent years over the ownership of the sea and its resources. This paper will provide a background to the South China sea, the relevant data and perspectives from experts, and own insights and analysis.
History of South China Sea
The South China Sea (SCS) has a long history of disputes in the region, with various countries claiming historical or current rights to the area. The PRC (People’s Republic of China) first started to expand its presence in the SCS during the late 1940s, claiming a wide swath of the sea and the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos. Since then, other countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have also begun to assert various claims to parts of the SCS. These disputes have often been based on differing interpretations of history or international laws, and have grown increasingly heated over the years.
For two hundred years, China has claimed that the SCS is part of its coastal waters. This ambiguous position has been met with resistance by other claimants in the area, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, who all have their own maritime borders. Although China has shown more willingness to negotiate over the years, the rifts remain in terms of resource ownership, navigation rights, military presence and other issues.
Economy of South China Sea
Aside from the strategic importance of the South China Sea, the area also holds an immense economic potential for its respective claimants. The seas are an important source of seafood and have also been used for marine transport since ancient times. In addition, the seas hold a wealth of unexploited oil and gas reserves, which are becoming increasingly desirable to the claimants as energy demands across the region increase. More recently, the SCS is has become a popular destination for tourism, with resorts and leisure facilities being established on many of the islands in the area.
Many of the nations in the region have become increasingly dependent on the economic prospects of the SCS, making the divisions over its ownership a much more pressing issue. As a result, the dispute over the South China Sea has become a major sticking point between the various claimants and has led, in part, to a number of diplomatic and military confrontations in the area.
International Law & Impact of South China Sea
International law, which applies to the South China Sea, grants certain rights of ownership and jurisdiction to the countries concerned. The UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) provides a framework for different countries to resolve conflicts over the SCS. Under UNCLOS, countries can assert their rights over particular parts of the sea based on a number of criteria, such as the “continental shelf” or the “exclusive economic zone”.
However, the various claimants to the South China Sea have so far been unable to reach an equitable agreement over the disputed waters. As a result, the area has become a hotbed of tension between different countries in the region, and international relations have been strained as a result. The dispute has also had an impact on trade and economic cooperation between the countries, and has further aggravated other issues such as the North Korea nuclear crisis.
The countries involved in the dispute over the South China Sea continue to assert their various rights to the area, including the right to navigation and the right to maintain a military presence. The PRC has been particularly vocal in its assertion of “historical rights” over the SCS and has sought to restrict access to other countries by declaring various parts of the sea as “no go” zones. This has angered other claimants, particularly the US, who have argued that the PRC’s actions are in contravention of international law.
At the same time, the PRC has sought to strengthen its position by deploying military vessels, constructing artificial islands, and by enforcing its sovereignty over the area by other means. This has led to a number of confrontations and has further strained relations between the different claimants. It is clear that unless the situation is resolved soon, further clashes and a further deterioration of the situation can be expected.
Environmental Impact of South China Sea
The South China Sea has become increasingly threatened by overfishing and other forms of environmental pollution in recent years. The various claimants to the area have been implicated in a number of unsustainable practices, such as illegal fishing, the use of abusive fishing methods, and the development of oil and gas exploration and production activities. These activities have had a severe impact on the biological diversity and ecology of the SCS, threatening fish stocks and other marine life.
The governments of the countries involved in the dispute have also been slow to act in terms of implementing stronger regulations and measures to protect the environment. This is largely due to continued uncertainty over the ownership of the SCS and the lack of enforcement of existing laws. Unless the issue of ownership is settled soon, the seriousness of the environmental damage to the area is likely to increase.
Own Insights & Analysis
The South China Sea has been the focus of a growing conflict between the different claimants in the region in recent years. The area is extremely valuable in terms of its strategic and economic potential, and this has led to an intense competition between the countries involved. In addition, other issues such as environmental protection and navigation rights have also become entangled in the dispute, making a resolution all the more difficult to reach.
The importance of the South China Sea to the countries involved cannot be underestimated, and the unresolved nature of the dispute has already created tension and strained international relations. It is clear that the situation will need to be addressed by all the parties involved in order for a peaceful and equitable solution to be found.
International Intervention
Since the conflict over the South China Sea began, various attempts have been made by the international community to resolve the dispute. In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in its dispute with China over the SCS. Although this was meant to be a binding decision, China refused to accept the ruling and has refused to budge on its stated claims to the area.
In response, the United Nations has taken a more direct role in relation to the conflict, dispatching mediators and deploying observers to the area in an attempt to reduce tensions. In 2017, it was reported that India, Japan and the US had formed a trilateral partnership to promote stability in the SCS, but the three countries were unable to reach a consensus on the issue.
Despite these efforts, the claims to the South China Sea remain unresolved, and the spectre of a delicate conflict continues to loom over the region. It seems likely that the situation will continue until either a diplomatic solution is reached or one side is able to establish a clear legal basis for their claim to the area.
Relevant Organizations
A number of organizations have taken an interest in the dispute over the South China Sea. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional bloc of 10 countries in the region and has been at the forefront of the dispute resolution efforts. The bloc has been calling for dialogue and cooperation in the area, and has sought to play a mediating role between the different claimants.
The EU (European Union) has also been involved in the dispute in an effort to de-escalate tensions. The EU has called for an end to the unilateral actions taken by the various parties, and has stated that the dispute should be addressed in line with international law and UNCLOS.
In addition, there have been a number of non-governmental organizations that have been active in trying to bring the different claimants to the table. These include the South China Sea Working Group, which includes representatives from a number of countries in the region, as well as the South China Sea Fisheries Commission, which has been advocating for the sustainable management of fisheries in the area.
Beijing’s Position & Can It Change?
Although China has shown a willingness to discuss the dispute over the South China Sea, it has been adamant in its position that the area is its own historical waters. This stance has led to a hardening of relations between China and other claimants in the region, and has also caused a great deal of unease in the US, which is keen to maintain its presence in the region.
The Chinese government has lately shown signs of being more open to dialogue, particularly through diplomatic channels. However, it remains to be seen if China is willing to compromise or back down on its claims to the SCS. In any case, it is clear that a resolution to the conflict over the South China Sea is not likely to be reached any time soon, and the situation will remain tense until the dispute is finally resolved.
Conclusion of the Dispute
The dispute over ownership of the South China Sea continues to remain one of the most pressing issues in the region and has become a major stumbling block in international relations. The area is a vital source of trade and transport routes, as well as an immensely valuable source of untapped resources, making it extremely important to the countries involved. Unfortunately, the claimants have been unable to reach an equitable agreement over the sea, and the situation is likely to remain tense until a resolution is found.
For the moment, it seems that the only way out of the impasse is through dialogue and cooperation. The international community and organizations such as ASEAN and the EU have been pushing for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, but it remains to be seen if the various claimants are willing to compromise or reach a consensus. Until then, the situation in the South China Sea remains uncertain.
