What is the South China Sea?
The South China Sea is a large body of water located between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is bounded by the Paracel and Spratly Islands in the east and the Macclesfield Bank and Scarborough Shoal in the west. The South China Sea covers an area of almost 3.5 million square kilometres and is home to numerous important economic resources and species. It has also become a considerable flashpoint in the region as different countries lay claim to various areas within its waters.
Who are the Key Players?
The key players in the South China Sea are China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. China is by far the largest claimant, with over 70% of the waters lying within its exclusive economic zone, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It has also recently been pursuing more assertive policies, including the construction of artificial islands, in order to assert its claim over the territory. The Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims, but these are more limited and are based on the proximity of their territories to the South China Sea. Finally, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia all have stated claims, but generally take a more conciliatory approach to their issues with China.
What are the Disputes?
The main dispute in the South China Sea is over sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction. Different countries claim different areas of the waters as their own, leading to issues with overlapping claims. China has tried to justify its claims with its so-called ‘nine-dash line’, a map that was first drawn in 1947 and which claims a large part of the South China Sea for itself. This has led to tensions with countries such as the Philippines, which has an alternative map claiming its own exclusive economic zone. There have also been disputes over fishing rights and sharing of resources, particularly as China has sought to impose its own regulations on the region.
What is the International Response?
The international community has been divided in its response to the South China Sea dispute. On the one hand, countries such as the United States and other Western powers have voiced concerns over China’s aggressive policies and have called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. On the other, countries such as Russia and North Korea have backed China’s position, with the latter even offering to mediate the dispute. In general, however, the international response has been muted, with most countries preferring to take a wait-and-see approach.
What Is the Impact on the Region?
The South China Sea dispute has had a significant impact on the region. The most visible impact is the increased military presence in the waters, with the US and its allies undertaking ‘freedom of navigation exercises’ in order to challenge China’s claims. In addition, there have been worries that the region’s seas could become the battleground for a larger geopolitical confrontation between China and the US. There has also been an economic impact, with businesses in the region worried about the economic implications of any instability in the South China Sea.
What is the Impact on the Environment?
The South China Sea dispute has also had a significant impact on the region’s environment. The increased military presence has raised concerns about the impact of large ships traversing the sea, as well as the potential for accidental spills and other environmental damage. In addition, China’s aggressive pursuit of its claims has led to the construction of artificial islands in the waters, raising the spectre of large-scale environmental damage from dredging and other activities. Finally, there have been worries about the potential impact of the dispute on endangered species in the region, such as the hawksbill sea turtle and Chinese white dolphin, due to the potential for collateral damage from military activities.
Expert Insights
Experts have voiced a variety of opinions regarding the South China Sea dispute. Some have argued that the dispute constitutes a violation of international law, due to China’s aggressive policies and its rejection of alternative maps. Others, however, have argued that the dispute is too complex to be solved easily, and that alternative approaches, such as joint management or international arbitration, should be explored. Others have suggested that the dispute could be used as an opportunity to create a new regional order in the Asia-Pacific, with China and the US playing the leading roles.
Conclusion
The South China Sea dispute is a complex and increasingly volatile situation that has the potential to affect the entire region. Different countries have different claims, and all parties must work together in order to find a resolution. In the meantime, it is important that the international community maintains its commitment to peaceful resolution, and works to ensure that any action taken does not adversely affect the environment or endanger species in the region.
