Background Information
The South China Sea is located in the South Pacific Ocean, extending from the east and south coasts of Vietnam, across the Philippines, and to the coast of Borneo. It is the second largest body of water in the world, covering approximately 3.5 million square kilometers. The region is also one of the most vital shipping lanes in the world due to its proximity to the shorelines of several major countries and its abundant fish reserves. Moreover, it is believed to contain rich hydrocarbon reserves. Since the 1950s, numerous countries including China, Taiwan and the Philippines have laid claim to the vast resources in the South China Sea, leading to frequent disputes over the rights to explore and exploit the resources in this area.
International Disputes
In recent decades, the vast resources located in the South China Sea have been a major source of international dispute. China argues that since ancient times, it has laid claim to the South China Sea as part of its traditional territorial waters, and thus it has full rights to exploit its resources. Taiwan and the Philippines both challenge this claim, instead staking their own claim over certain parts of the sea. The United States also holds a unique stance on the matter, voicing its support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that all nations have equal access and rights to all international waters.
China’s Maritime Expansion
In recent years, China has dramatically increased its maritime presence and activities in the South China Sea. It has unilaterally established a ‘Nine-Dash Line’ extending from the area, through which it claims to hold exclusive jurisdiction. China has also increased its construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, some of which have been developed into military bases. In addition, it has reportedly authorized its ships to use aggressive force to drive out foreign fishing vessels from the area.
International Response
China’s activities in the South China Sea have attracted strong international condemnation. The United Nations, the United States and other major powers have to called on China to observe the principles of international law and refrain from excessive maritime activities in the region that may undermine the rights of other countries. In response, China has defended its activities in the South China Sea as necessary to maintain its national security and territorial sovereignty. Despite international opposition, many of China’s actions in the South China Sea have been accepted as a de facto status quo, as no country has the power and resources to challenge China’s dominance in the region.
Counter-Accusations
Some countries, including the Philippines, have accused China of engaging in subversive tactics to gain further control of the region. They point to China’s extensive construction activities and military expansion on the reclaimed land in the sea as a way for the country to gain a strategic advantage in the region. On the other hand, China has accused other countries of illegally occupying certain areas of the South China Sea and has repeatedly called on them to adhere to the principles of freedom of navigation.
Impact on Regional Relations
The tense disputes over the South China Sea have had a major impact on the diplomatic and economic relations between the countries in the region. Aggressive rhetoric and frequent military exercises have raised the fear of a potential armed conflict between the countries, while simultaneously jeopardizing their economic ties and undermining their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous region. Meanwhile, the United States has largely stayed out of the disputes in the South China Sea and has instead focused on maintaining its diplomatic and economic ties with China in order to ensure peace and stability in the region.
United States’ Growing Involvement
In recent years, the United States has become increasingly engaged in the regional disputes in the South China Sea. It has conducted joint naval exercises and Freedom of Navigation operations with other countries in the region, and has also established a closer strategic partnership with countries like the Philippines and Vietnam in order to counter-balance China’s growing influence in the area.
Competing Resource Claims
The competing claims to the resources in the South China Sea are further complicated by the fact that many of these countries have long established fishing rights in the area. For instance, the Philippines has an ancient fishing agreement with China and other coastal nations related to their exclusive right to fish in certain parts of the South China Sea, while China has its own maritime entitlements under the Nine-Dash Line. Meanwhile, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have overlapping claims to exclusive economic zones in the area.
International Pressure On China
Countries in the region as well as the international community have put increasing pressure on China to resolve its maritime disputes in the South China Sea. In recent years, the United Nations, the United States and other major powers have all called for China to observe the principles of international law and refrain from excessive maritime activities in the region. In response, China has continued to maintain its presence in the area and has instead focused on negotiations with its neighbors in order to settle these disputes.
Role Of Regional Organizations
In recent years, regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) have also become increasingly involved in the maritime disputes in the South China Sea. ASEAN and the EAS have acted as forums for the countries in the region to discuss the disputes, while also working to de-escalate tensions and find peaceful resolutions to the disputes.
International Courts
International courts have also played a role in resolving the disputes over the South China Sea. In 2016, an international tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in its dispute with China regarding certain parts of the South China Sea. The ruling was widely seen as a victory for the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, and has set a clear precedent for adjudicating the various claims over the vast resources in the South China Sea.
Regional Stakes
The competing claims over the South China Sea reflect a broader geopolitical context of major countries vying for greater control of the region. For instance, the United States has sought to maintain its presence in the region, while simultaneously curbing China’s increasing influence. Meanwhile, China has sought to further extend its sphere of influence in the area, while also strengthening its ties with its neighbors in the region.
Regional Relationships
The countries in the region have generally been resilient in the face of increasing tensions, and have taken steps to strengthen their ties with each other. For instance, the Philippines and China have worked to maintain cordial diplomatic and economic ties, while Vietnam has taken steps to engage China in talks to build mutual trust and respect.
The Way Forward
Going forward, it is clear that the countries in the South China Sea will need to find an equitable and mutually beneficial solution to the disputes in the area. In this regard, international organizations and regional organizations have an important role to play in mediating the disputes, while also providing a platform for the countries in the region to cooperate towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
