Background
The South China Sea is an integral part of many nations and spans over 3 million square kilometers. It has become increasingly contested recently, with various countries competing for its resources and strategic commercial interests. There are six claimants in the region – China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Phillipines, Malaysia and Brunei – each of whom have conflicting and overlapping maritime claims. These disputes over jurisdiction, territorial integrity and access to resources have been ongoing for decades, but their prominence has increased in recent times and are now a major international focus.
Expert Perspectives
According to Prof. Rob Malley, an expert in international law, “in order for the disputes in the South China Sea to be resolved, we need a comprehensive and legally binding agreement that allows for shared sovereignty over the area.”
Sam Roggeveen, an expert in Asian security, also agrees that a multilateral agreement is necessary, but argues, “the South China Sea is not just a legal issue, it is a matter of politics and strategic competition between the countries involved.”
Other experts in the field emphasize the importance of the region due to its strategic geopolitical importance, environmental fragility, and the sheer amount of resources it contains.
Recent Developments
Recently, the South China Sea have witnessed a number of events that have increased tensions in the region. In 2018, China set up a new military base in the Spratly islands, which are also disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. In 2019, China established an air defence zone in the South China Sea within which other nations are effectively prohibited from operating military aircraft. In the same year, the United States deployed warships to the region in a show of strength. As well as these military developments, the South China Sea has also seen fishing fleets from multiple countries clash over the limited supply of fish in its waters.
Analysis and Insights
The South China Sea clearly has great strategic and commercial importance, and is home to a range of valuable resources that nations seek to secure. Additionally, its huge swathes of waters are incredibly fragile ecosystems, and are a home to a wide variety of plants, fish, and bird life. All of these make the region desirable, but also prove highly contentious, with the overlapping claims of the six nations all vying for control of their piece of the region.
Given the complexity of the situation, it is essential that a comprehensive solution is found to manage the resources and the potential for conflict in the region. At present, the situation remains incredibly tense, and any change will rely upon the willingness of all parties to put aside differences in maritime law and to put the wellbeing of the region’s inhabitants and environment first.
China’s Policy
China has been the major actor driving expansion in the region, and it is widely accepted that their military and economic presence will continue to grow in the South China Sea. China has said that it is committed to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, however their behavior has been deemed as aggressive and escalating tensions by other nations and international observers. As of yet, China’s actions have not been met with any direct action by the other claimants, but the US does remain a major presence in the region, and has held a number of military exercises since 2019 to further demonstrate their strength and commitment to the region.
Environmental Impacts
As well as the political and economic concerns in the South China Sea, the region also suffers from a number of environmental impacts due to its territorial dispute. The contested waters are often used as a battleground for fishing fleets from different countries, with boats sometimes being sunk or stolen as part of these clashes. Additionally, the extensive militarization of the region has placed a great deal of strain on the fragile ecosystem of the South China Sea, with military vessels and bases polluting the region’s waters and disrupting its marine life.
U.S. Engagement
In the past few years, the United States have increased their involvement in the dispute, using their naval presence in the region as a deterrent to China’s military ambitions. The US has also sought to mediate agreements between different claimants and increase its influence in the region. The US’ commitment to the region has been reinforced by their close allies, including Japan and Australia, who have also increased their operations in the waters.
The Situation Today
The situation in the South China Sea remains very tense and highly contested. The various claimants in the region are all resistant to relinquish their claims and are firmly entrenched in their positions. In addition to this, the military presence of the United States and their allies is growing, as is China’s own presence.
At present, the situation appears to be a stalemate, with neither side willing to make any concessions. However, multiple diplomatic efforts are ongoing to try and resolve the disputes in the region, with the hope of achieving a lasting solution that is satisfactory to all parties involved.
Transparency and Openness
Openness and transparency are a crucial part of any potential resolution of the South China Sea conflict and can help to build trust between the various stakeholders. In an effort to improve transparency, a number of nations have begun to engage in cooperative activities within the South China Sea. These activities, such as joint search and rescue and environmental protection operations, are viewed as steps towards a more open and cooperative approach to the dispute and a potential resolution.
International Institution Involvement
There have also been attempts by international institutions to mediate the disputes in the South China Sea. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), for example, has acted as a platform for diplomats from various claimants in the region to come together and discuss the issues. In addition, the United Nations and various think-tanks have conducted regional studies and initiatives to try and come to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties.
Environmental Conservation
Given the fragility of the South China Sea’s ecosystem, and the tensions that exist between the claimants, there has been an increased focus from experts and governments on environmental conservation in the region. Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to protect the region’s environment, ranging from strengthened regulations on fishing practices to increased patrols of the area to prevent environmental degradation. Environmental conservation is seen as a crucial step in allowing the South China Sea to remain a viable resource for all of its claimants without detracting from the well being of its inhabitants.
Conclusion
The situation in the South China Sea is extremely complex and is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. The region holds immense significance for multiple countries and its resources are deeply contested. Despite this, multiple diplomatic efforts are ongoing in the region, with countries attempting to come up with a resolution that is acceptable to all claimants. In the future, it will be essential for all parties to commit to a lasting solution that respects the economic and environmental concerns of the region.
