The South China Sea has become one of the most contentious areas in the world due to its rich economic resources and strategic importance. It has been a center for disputes for the last few decades with countries around it staking their claims over parts of the region. It is estimated that the annual economic activity from the South China Sea region is worth several hundred billion dollars in the form of imports, exports and fisheries. In this article we will look at the countries with maritime claims in the South China Sea and the implications these have.
China and Taiwan have laid claims over the entire South China Sea. China’s claims are based on an ancient ‘nine-dash’ map and they are further pursuing their claims militarily by building artificial islands and outposts on reef formations, forcing other countries to challenge their claims. In 2016, an international court at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Netherlands ruled that China’s nine-dash line notion was not legal under international law, throwing a spanner in the works of Chinese ambitions.
Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, who all have proven rights to fish in parts of the South China Sea, are continuously asserting their claims over areas of maritime waters, as well as some islands in the region, that they regard as their exclusive economic zones (EEZ). These cases often result in stand-offs between their vessels and those of China, with neither country willing to back down.
Japan, which only unveiled its policy for the South China Sea in 2014, has laid claim to some areas of the South China Sea, a move that angered China due to the current territorial dispute between the two over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. Japan has also increased its military presence in the region lately, a bearish indication of greater influence in the future.
Other countries, such as Brunei and South Korea, have laid claim over parts of the sea within their EEZ, but none of these countries have been actively contesting the South China Sea except for occasional military patrols.
The problem is, most of the maritime claims that these countries have laid in the South China Sea are overlapping and this has caused numerous disputes. According to experts, such a dispute could have ramification beyond the South China Sea and could reach even further to the East and South China Sea due to the number of countries involved. There is a danger that this region could become the source of a major international conflict.
Implications On The Local Economy
The disputes over the South China Sea and the countries’ respective claims have had wide-reaching implications, especially on the local economy. With vast reserves of oil, gas and other resources in the South China Sea, it is not surprising that countries are vying for control of these resources. However, many countries, especially those without the necessary power or resources to challenge China’s claims, such as Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam, are losing out on potential income from the extraction of such resources.
Another negative economic impact of this is in the form of lost tourism revenue. Potential visitors have been discouraged from visiting the South China Sea due to the increasing tensions and the presence of military vessels in the area. This has caused a deep economic impact in countries like the Philippines, which relies heavily on tourism for some of its much-needed income.
Environmental Impact Of Disputes
The environmental future of the South China Sea is also in danger due to the maritime disputes. The construction of artificial islands and outposts by China, for example, has caused devastating effects on the marine life and its habitats. In addition, with naval vessels continuously patrolling the waters of the South China Sea, there is a danger of increased pollution in the area, as ships release pollutants that can contaminate the water.
Furthermore, the presence of warships in the region has caused a significant drop in the amount of fishing vessels that are able to ply their trade. This has had a serious negative impact on the livelihoods of many fishermen in countries around the South China Sea, as well as the local economy.
International Assistance
In light of these issues, some countries have been attempting to step in and help the nations involved in resolving their maritime disputes. The United Nations has adopted the Unified Framework Agreement which encourages countries in the region to resolve their issues peacefully. In addition, the United States has also been involved in negotiations between China and other countries, with the hope of maintaining peace in the region.
Various international organizations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also stepped in by mediating talks between the nations. ASEAN has also established a code of conduct among the nations in the region which prohibits any unilateral decision making in the South China Sea.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that the disputes between various countries over their maritime claims in the South China Sea is a complicated and serious situation. With countries unwilling to back down, there is a danger of the situation escalating further if not contained. It is therefore the duty of the international community, as well as the countries in the region, to ensure that such disputes are resolved in a peaceful manner and that the future of the South China Sea is secured.
