Introduction
The South China Sea is home to many countries and its waters bring a wealth of natural resources. The maritime boundary lines of the South China Sea are currently disputed by several countries, making the geopolitical situation in the area complex. With increasing tensions in the area, it is important to understand the countries which share its borders and their various interests in the area. This article explores what countries border the South China Sea and provides an analysis of their positions and interests.
Background on the South China Sea
Located in the eastern margin of the Indo-Pacific region, the South China Sea serves as a key gateway to the vital and strategic shipping lanes of Asia. The South China Sea is bordered by the countries of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and even the mainland countries of Asia. It has been an important commercial and military hub since ancient times and has been strategically contested by many countries throughout its history. In the recent decades, due to the increasing militarization of the area and claims over maritime territories, the South China Sea has been an area of contention between many countries. For this reason, it is important to take a closer look at the countries who share its borders.
Which Countries Border The South China Sea?
The South China Sea is bordered by the following countries: China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. These countries have all clamed sovereignty over parts of the continental shelves, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and other maritime features as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China is the world’s largest claimant on the South China Sea with its controversial ‘nine-dash line’. The country has been actively engaged in constructing artificial islands to maintain a strong military presence in the area and to bolster its claims.
Taiwan has also laid claim over maritime boundaries on the South China Sea. The country claims the entire Spratly area in the western region of the sea. It also claims the Scarborough Shoal in the central region of the sea and the Pratas Reefs in the northeastern region.
The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim maritime boundaries over the South China Sea, though they have not constructed any artificial islands as China has. All three countries claim the exclusive economic zones of the Spratly Islands and overlapping claims to the continental shelf.
Finally, Brunei is the only claimant which does not claim any territory within the waters of the South China Sea. However, it does have an extensive EEZ in the area that it claims and is actively mapping out new Exclusive Economic Zones in an effort to maintain its rights.
Perspectives From Experts
Experts have provided various views on the situation in the South China Sea. Many have warned of the potential for conflict in the area due to increasing tensions between the countries claiming sovereignty.
Professor Jay Batongbacal, a professor of international maritime affairs at the University of the Philippines, stated that “The South China Sea remains a hotly contested area due to overlapping maritime boundary disputes between the claimant countries. The potential for conflict is only exacerbated by the militarization of the region by China and other countries.”
With increasing international pressure, experts have also suggested several avenues for dealing with the situation. Clancy Yeates, a nonresident fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia, suggested that “The best course of action would be for the claimant countries to work together to come to a mutually beneficial agreement on the maritime boundaries of the South China Sea.”
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also called for the claimant countries to refrain from “coercive behaviors” and to work together to come to a peaceful resolution that respects the sovereignty of the other claimant countries.
Analysis of the Interests at Stake
The South China Sea is an important area for several countries with various interests in mind. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the South China Sea holds 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
For China, it is an important area to maintain its presence as a major regional power and its various claims over the maritime boundaries of the South China Sea is part of a larger strategy to control shipping routes and natural resources in the region.
For other countries, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, the South China Sea is an important area for economic development as it provides access to important fisheries and hydrocarbon reserves.
For Malaysia and Brunei, the situation serves as a reminder of their importance as small states in the region. Both countries seek to maintain their security and economic interests in the area.
Conclusion of the Situation
The South China Sea remains an area of contention between many countries. The maritime boundaries of the sea are disputed by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. These claims remain largely unresolved as the claimant countries have been unable to come to a mutually beneficial agreement. As tensions in the area continue to increase, it is important to understand the interests at stake and the potential implications of the ongoing maritime disputes.
Legal Implications of the Disputes
The disputes over the waters and maritime boundaries of the South China Sea do not only have political and economic implications but also legal ones. The countries that border the sea are a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This means that the dispute must be resolved in accordance to international law and by abiding by the provisions and rules of UNCLOS.
The UNCLOS defines a series of maritime features that can be claimed by the various claimant countries. This includes the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves, artificial islands, and other submerged features.
A case in point is the dispute between China, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the Scarborough Shoal. The Philippines has argued that the shoal lies within its EEZ and as such has exclusive rights over the fisheries, seabed resources, and navigation within the area. Both China and Vietnam disagree with the Philippine claim and believe that the shoal lies in their respective EEZs. According to experts, the dispute must be resolved by examining the respective maritime claims of the countries and by abiding by the rules and provisions of UNCLOS.
Impact of Coastal Development
The coastal regions of the South China Sea are vital for both economic development and the survival of the local populations. The coastal areas provide a number of resources, such as fisheries, mineral resources, and hydropower. The local populations rely heavily on these resources for their daily livelihoods.
However, these resources are increasingly under threat due to the militarization of the area by claimant countries. This has led to displacement of local populations, environmental degradation, and threats to the security and stability of the region.
At the same time, these countries have begun to seek out investment opportunities in the coastal areas of the South China Sea. This can lead to increased economic development and job opportunities, but it can also lead to problems such as land reclamation, pollution, and the displacement of many local populations.
It is thus important for all claimant countries to strike a balance between their economic interests and the well-being of the local populations when it comes to coastal development.
International Reactions to the Disputes
The disputes over the South China Sea have attracted the attention of the international community. Countries in the region have increased military spending and conducted joint military exercises in an effort to protect their maritime claims over the area. This has been met with strong criticism from the United States and other major powers in the region.
The U.S. has conducted several freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to challenge Beijing’s claims and has even imposed sanctions on Chinese firms building artificial islands. As tensions between the two countries continue to rise, the implications of this could be far-reaching.
At the same time, attempts have been made to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing maritime dispute. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has encouraged dialogue between the claimant countries and has even held joint working groups to discuss the potential for a Code of Conduct in the region.
In addition, the International Criminal Court has been increasingly involved in the dispute, with two cases being brought against China for its violations of UNCLOS. This could have an impact on the outcome of the dispute as it may set an international legal precedent for the resolution of maritime disputes.
