Background
China has always had an eye on the South China Sea, with its vast deposits of natural gas and oil, but the recent emergence of international attention towards the region has resulted in a power struggle between the East and the West. China wants more control over the region and has made great advances in the recent years, but it has also been met by stiff resistance from many of the other nations in the area. It is a complex situation, involving territorial disputes, military action, and the possibility of war. So, what does China want in the South China Sea?
Regional Resources
China’s primary interest in the South China Sea is the abundance of energy resources present in the region. The area is estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. China wants to secure access to this energy as it is seen as key to the economic development of the entire nation. It is also seen as a way to increase the Chinese economy’s reliance on domestic energy sources.
Territorial Disputes
The region has a long history of territorial disputes between the various countries in the area. Several of the countries, including China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, have overlapping claims to the same areas, leading to tensions. These disputes have become even more prominent with the introduction of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has used the law to try and gain more control of the region, leading to a wave of resentment from the other nations involved in the dispute.
Military Action
The Chinese government has also become increasingly aggressive in the region, deploying more troops and increasing their presence in the region. This has led to an increase in military activity in the South China Sea, with China building military bases and forming an air defense zone. This has been met with much criticism from the international community, who view it as a move to further strengthen the Chinese government’s control of the region.
Possibility of War
The tension in the South China Sea has been rising steadily in recent years, and there is a real possibility that an armed conflict could occur in the region. Both Vietnam and the Philippines have stated that they are ready to defend their territories in the region, and both countries have increased their military presence in the area. China has also made it clear that it is willing to defend its interests, raising the possibility of a conflict.
Increased Strategic Influence
One of the primary goals of the Chinese government is to increase its strategic influence in the region. The Chinese government has made it clear that it wants to be seen as a dominant power in the region, and it wants to make sure that its interests are always taken into account. In addition, the Chinese government has made it clear that it intends to pursue policies which will benefit the Chinese people, regardless of the other countries in the region.
Economic Development
The South China Sea is seen as an important resource for economic development in the region. The area is rich in natural resources, and access to these resources could be key to the economic growth of China, as well as the other nations in the region. The Chinese government sees the development of the South China Sea as a way to provide much needed resources to the nation, as well as to promote economic growth across the region.
Environmental Protection
The Chinese government has also taken a keen interest in protecting the environment in the region. The Chinese government has implemented several regulations to protect the delicate ecosystems found in the South China Sea, as well as taking steps to limit the damage that can be done to the environment by the various countries in the area.
Intercontinental Trade
The South China Sea is also a vital route for international trade. The area has been used for centuries as a trading route between East and West, and it is a crucial link in the trade between countries on different continents. The Chinese government sees the South China Sea as an important part of the global trade network, and wants to ensure that its interests are taken into account when new trade agreements are formed.
Direct Access to Markets
The Chinese government also wants to have direct access to markets in the region. Open access to markets would allow Chinese goods to be sold in the region, providing a potentially lucrative economic opportunity for the nation. The Chinese government has begun to actively pursue economic deals in the region to make sure that it has a direct access to these markets.
Maritime Security
The Chinese government is also concerned with ensuring maritime security in the region. It wants to make sure that the region is secure from external threats and that its ships are able to safely traverse the region without disruption. This has led to increased maritime security in the area, both from China and from the other nations in the region.
Conclusion
China has a clear interest in the South China Sea, and it has been aggressively pursuing these interests in the region. It is trying to secure access to energy resources, control territorial disputes, and ensure maritime security. It also wants to ensure that it has access to markets in the region and that it is seen as a dominant power in the area.
