The South China Sea is a massive body of water in the Pacific Ocean, extending several thousand miles of coastline and encompassing vital trading routes. The sheer geographic size of the region has made it highly coveted by nations in the area, including the countries of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. It is no surprise, then, that the South China Sea has been a hotbed of geopolitical rivalry and military conflict between the countries in the region.
The West has long viewed the South China Sea as a contentious region, and this long-held sentiment may be harder to change due to USA’s focus on the Indo-Pacific region. The United States and Western allies have been vocal in their disapproval of China’s vast claims within the South China Sea and its attempts to impose economic sanctions on other countries in the region. This has led to strong criticism from many of these nations, as well as from the United Nations. In addition, the West has accused China of militarizing the region through construction of artificial islands and deployment of military forces in the vicinity.
Western nations have become increasingly vocal in their opposition of China’s assertive claims within the South China Sea. In recent years, initiatives such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy have seen the involvement of the United States and its allies in the region. Through such measures, the West seeks to back regional powers, such as Japan, India, and Australia, in order to counter China’s regional dominance.
At the same time, Western nations have also been active in deploying naval vessels and providing diplomatic support to those countries contending with China over maritime disputes. This has included mediation attempts at various forums and even thinly-veiled warnings to China regarding its aggressive actions in the area. However, the West’s involvement has been typically limited to providing diplomatic and military support to regional players. It has not taken an active role in resolving the territorial disputes directly.
Apart from diplomatic and military support, the West has increasingly sought to use economic means in order to change China’s behavior in the South China Sea. One example of this has been the Obama administration’s Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was initially designed to curtail Chinese influence in the area. Unfortunately, the TTP was ultimately abandoned after President Trump took office and chose to pursue alternative alliances. Nevertheless, the Obama administration’s strategy provides a model for the West to consider in its aim to curb China’s regional dominance.
In conclusion, the West has largely viewed the South China Sea as a region of great geopolitical value. The West has taken a more proactive approach in recent years, increasing its diplomatic and military support to the nations of the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the West has employed economic measures in an effort to change Beijing’s behavior. Although these measures have yielded mixed results, the West is unlikely to cease its involvement in the near future.
Impact on Global Trade
The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest commercial waterways, and its high geopolitical value has made it a major source of tension in the recent past. In the event of a conflict in the region, global trade would likely be significantly impacted. It is estimated that approximately one-third of global trade passes through the South China Sea, making it a vital source of trade for many countries.
Furthermore, the strategic geographic location of the region further adds to its importance and value. For instance, some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, depend heavily on trade routes snaking through the South China Sea. Therefore, a conflict in the area could drastically disrupt the flow of goods and services between countries, resulting in both economic and political upheaval in the region.
In addition, the South China Sea is rich in marine life and natural resources, including both oil and gas reserves. The potential for tapping these reserves has been a major motivating factor for China in the ongoing territorial disputes. Nevertheless, the potential for unrest in the region has raised concerns among global investors and businesses, as such an event could disrupt global supply chains and have far-reaching consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
Therefore, the West has long sought to mediate disputes in the South China Sea, in order to prevent any escalation of tension. Likewise, Western countries have urged China to comply with international law and cooperate with regional players towards peaceful resolution of the disputes. Nevertheless, no tangible progress has been made, and tensions between the countries of the region, as well as between the West and China, remain high.
The West is also deeply concerned about the safety of navigation in the South China Sea. Previously, China has laid claim to the majority of the region and has sought to extend its control by establishing an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This has raised fears that the country was attempting to restrict the movement of aircraft in the airspace, particularly those belonging to the United States and its allies.
In response, the United States has countered by conducting naval patrols and flyovers near the disputed islands and reefs. This has been seen as a way for the US to demonstrate its commitment to the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Additionally, the US has sought to strengthen its ties and commitments with countries in the region, while also sending mixed signals to Beijing. The United States has undertaken a series of defensive measures, such as the deployment of military forces, in the region and has repeated its call for a peaceful resolution of the disputes.
Furthermore, the international community has been vocal in its support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The United Nations, the European Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have all urged parties involved to resolve their disputes peacefully, without compromising the safety of maritime navigation. Likewise, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has stipulated that areas of the South China Sea should remain accessible to navigation by vessels of all countries.
Despite these calls for a peaceful resolution, tensions in the South China Sea persists. The US continues to demonstrate its commitment to freedom of navigation in the region, yet Beijing appears defiant in its insistence that the majority of the South China Sea is its own sovereign territory. Thus, the West is likely to continue its involvement in the region, in order to maintain the freedom of navigation and its own regional interests.
Military Presence
The West has long been wary of Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. In recent years, China has increased its military presence in the area, particularly by deploying fighter jets and warships to the disputed Spratly Islands. This has led to accusations by Western nations that Beijing is trying to increase its military dominance in the region.
The US has taken a hard line on this issue, repeatedly calling on Beijing to refrain from aggressive acts and comply with international law. It has also sent its naval vessels on numerous occasions to patrol the region. Furthermore, the US frequently conducts flyovers in the vicinity of the South China Sea, in order to demonstrate its commitment to freedom of navigation and international law.
Moreover, the United States has also increased its military presence in the region, in a move to counterbalance the Chinese military. The US has also announced joint military drills with other countries in the region and bolstered its deterrence capabilities, in order to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation. The US has also stated that it is committed to ensuring the security of its regional partners.
At the same time, the US has also sought to engage the Chinese military, in order to reduce tensions. For instance, the Pentagon has invited Chinese forces to participate in joint drills, in the hope of maintaining communication lines and reducing the potential for confrontation between the two sides. Nevertheless, there is no indication that any meaningful breakthroughs have been made, as tensions in the region remain high.
Rise of Domestic Pressure
The South China Sea has also been a prominent issue in domestic politics. Various nations in the region have seen an outpouring of public opinion in support of their respective governments’ positions. In particular, China has seen a rise of nationalism following its aggressive actions in the area. This has resulted in increased pressure on the government to assert its dominance in the region, as well as to retaliate against perceived foreign interference.
In addition, Taiwan has also seen a surge of nationalist sentiment, as the country continues to assert its claims over the South China Sea. This has been a major source of concern for Beijing, as it risks further amplifying the tensions between the two sides. Furthermore, many countries in the region, such as the Philippines and Indonesia, have also pursued more assertive policies in the South China Sea, in order to support their respective claims.
The domestic pressure in the region has been a major driver of the South China Sea disputes. This has made resolving the conflict an even more difficult task, as each side is reluctant to back down and risk the potential loss of domestic support. Thus, the West faces an uphill battle in seeking to resolve the dispute, as it must contend with the growing nationalist sentiment in the region.
Regional Repercussions
The West’s involvement in the South China Sea has had far-reaching consequences for the region. On one hand, its presence has been seen as a form of assurance towards nations in the area, who otherwise risk becoming economically and politically marginalized by China. On the other hand, it has also created tensions and resentment between the West and China, making it even more difficult to resolve the South China Sea dispute.
In addition, the West’s involvement in the dispute has also exacerbated regional rivalries and geopolitical tensions in the region. The deepening rift between China and its regional allies has created a destabilizing effect, as countries have become increasingly at odds over the South China Sea. Furthermore, the US’s involvement in the conflict has raised concerns about its efforts to contain the growth of Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
In conclusion, the West’s view of the South China Sea has long been one of contention and caution. In the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, the West has increased its diplomatic and military support for countries in the area, as well as employed economic measures in an attempt to influence Beijing’s behavior. Nevertheless, these efforts have yielded only limited results, as the waters remain a source of regional tension and disputes remain unresolved.
