Overview of The South China Sea
The South China Sea is a body of water located southeast of the mainland of China and east of the Indochina region, including parts of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It covers an area of about 2.4 million square miles, and its size is around 2.3 times larger than Australia. It has a long history of disputes and conflict in the region, due to the number of countries that border it and the vast amounts of natural resources, commercial activities, and fisheries contained within.
The sea has been subject to tension since the Cold War era, as a number of countries began laying claim to its waters and its islands. Among those countries are China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei. China have taken a particularly hard line with its claims, often refusing to recognize the other countries’ claims and disregarding international waters agreements.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China’s legal claims in the South China Sea. This ruling was based off of a case submitted by the Philippines to the court, which asserted their rights over several islands in the area. This ruling allowed the Philippines to gain control over certain parts of Chinese territory and clarified the maritime boundaries between the two countries.
However, despite the 2016 ruling, the sovereignty claims over the area still remain contested by many in the region. China maintains that the sea and its islands are a part of its sovereign territory, even going so far as to build artificial islands in the area in order to assert their presence in the area. This has caused tensions to once again rise in the region, with China also conducting military exercises in the sea.
Vietnam and Malaysia
In addition to China and the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are two countries that also have strong claims over the South China Sea’s waters and islands. Vietnam has the largest coastline in the area, running for over 2,000 miles. It claims control of the Paracel Islands, which are located north of the Spratly Islands. Vietnam has established over 10 coastal provinces and one centrally governed ‘ island commune’ in order to govern the islands.
Malaysia also has claims to a large number of islands and many a coast that extends hundreds of miles. It claims ownership of the Spratly Islands, located off the southwest coast of the Philippines. Malaysia has established a Sabah State marine park, which is designed to safeguard the area and protect its coral reefs.
Vietnam and Malaysia have also taken steps to assert their rights to the South China Sea. Both countries have conducted oil and gas exploration in the region, have built military bases on the islands, and have deployed vessels to the region to patrol their waters. This has caused tensions to build further, with both countries accusing China of infringing on their sovereignty.
Many of the countries that have involvement in the South China Sea dispute have recently come together to discuss the issue. In 2018, China and the Philippines signed a joint statement agreeing to pursue cooperation and peaceful resolution of the disputes. This was seen as a sign of progress between the two countries, and a step towards a more peaceful resolution of the issue.
Role of the United States
The United States has also taken an active role in the disputes over the South China Sea. It has conducted numerous freedom of navigation operations in the area, in order to assert its right to navigate the seas freely. In 2016, the US Navy even deployed a warship to the region, in order to ‘ challenge excessive maritime claims’ made by China.
The US has also urged its allies to join it in its stance. In 2018, it announced that it would form a ‘Quad’ military alliance with Australia, India, and Japan. This alliance is seen as a response to China’s growing presence in the South China Sea, as well as its expansionist policies across the region.
At the same time, the US has also urged China to come to the negotiating table in order to resolve its disputes with the other countries over the South China Sea. It has championed a code of conduct agreement to be developed between the countries in the region, and has offered its services as a mediator. However, these attempts have been unsuccessful, with many of the countries in the region continuing to lay claim to the waters and its islands.
Environmental Effects
The tensions in the South China Sea have had an adverse effect on the environment. China’s island building activities have caused massive destruction to the coral reefs in the area. Furthermore, its military exercises in the sea have caused oil spills, polluted waters, and harmed endangered marine species. It has also caused serious degradation to the fishing industry, as the number of fish being caught has dropped drastically in the recent years.
In an effort to counter China’s activities, the other countries in the region have also taken steps to implement their own environmental protections. The Philippines, for instance, has created a number of underwater sanctuaries, which are designed to protect the reefs. Malaysia and Vietnam have also taken similar steps, and have been actively monitoring their waters, in order to ensure that the environment is not being harmed.
Conclusion
The South China Sea remains a contested area and one of the most contentious regions in the world. With its vast amounts of natural resources and commercial activities, it is no surprise that many countries have laid claim to its waters and islands. Tensions over the area remain high, with China taking a particularly hard line with its claims, and other countries pushing back in the face of their activities. The US has also joined in, conducting military exercises and pushing for a code of conduct agreement in the region. Despite this, the disputes still remain unresolved and the environmental effects are becoming increasingly severe.
Oil Reserves and Energy Security
The South China Sea is also crucial for energy and mineral resources. It is estimated that the sea holds around 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in its reserves. This makes it one of the most important hydrocarbon reserves in the world and a resource that countries in the region are keen to gain access to. China, for instance, has recently embarked on a new mission to gain access to the reserves, placing an oil rig in the South China Sea in 2013.
However, China’s activities in the South China Sea have come at a cost. Vietnam and other countries have accused China of territorial aggression and infringing on their sovereignty. The US has also accused China of engaging in a game of ‘chess’ with its activities in the sea. These accusations have led to an increasingly tense atmosphere in the region, and have put countries in a precarious position with regards to their energy and mineral resources.
In response to this, countries have sought to increase their energy security. Vietnam, for instance, has increased its exploration and drilling activities in the area, and has also acquired new rig platforms from Russia. Malaysia and the Philippines have also taken similar steps, as they look to secure their access to the energy reserves located in the South China Sea.
Economic Development
The South China Sea is also the site of economic development in the region. Fishing is one of the most important industries in the zone, providing livelihoods for thousands of people. It is estimated that the gross domestic product of the fisheries in the region is approximately $5.5 billion. It is also estimated that the South China Sea fisheries provide 60% of the total global seafood supply.
The South China Sea is also important for trade. The region lies on the primary shipping route of the Asia-Pacific region, making it a vital shipping channel. Trade in the region was estimated to be worth $3.37 trillion in 2016. This makes the South China Sea a hugely important economic region, not only for its own countries, but also for the wider region.
The countries bordering the South China Sea also benefit from tourism. Thousands of tourists from across the world travel to its beaches and islands, drawn in by its pristine beauty and exotic wildlife. It is estimated that regional tourism generated $14 billion in 2017, making it a hugely important economic source for several countries in the region.
Peaceful Resolution
The countries in the region have attempted to find a peaceful resolution to their disputes in the South China Sea. In 2018, China and the Philippines signed a joint statement agreeing to pursue cooperation and peaceful resolution of the disputes. This was seen as a sign of progress between the two countries, and a step towards a more peaceful resolution of the issue.
In addition, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has also held a number of meetings to discuss the issue. ASEAN held its first joint maritime exercises in 2019, as a way of increasing cooperation between the countries in the South China Sea. This was seen as a sign of progress, and as a way of furthering solutions to the region’s disputes over the sea.
The South China Sea remains a contested area, with its waters and resources sought after by many of the countries in the region. However, with the recent moves towards cooperation and peaceful resolution, there is hope that the disputes in the region can be resolved. It remains to be seen, however, if these attempts at resolution will be successful, or if the tensions will continue to plague the region.
