Background Information
The South China Sea is a large body of water located between the coastlines of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. It is an important sea lane for international maritime traffic and is particularly rich in natural resources. For centuries, various nations have laid claim to various parts of the South China Sea. China’s claims to the region date back to the reign of the first Ming Dynasty Emperor who declared that China had exclusive rights to the coastal waters and the resources found within them. In modern times, these claims have been extensively reinforced by the People’s Republic of China which has established effective control over the majority of the South China Sea.
Relevant Data
China’s claims to the South China Sea have been made explicit in the ‘nine-dash line’, a maritime boundary which encompasses more than 80% of the South China Sea and has been legally contested by a number of other countries. China has also established a number of outposts and artificial islands within the region in order to strengthen its foothold. In addition, it has attempted to control the fishing activities of other nations within the region and to suppress any exploration of the South China Sea for oil and gas.
Experts’ Analysis
Experts agree that the main reason China has staked a claim to the South China Sea is tosecure resources and strategic benefits. Dr. Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, professor of international law at Stanford University, claims that “China is looking to develop the South China Sea as a source of food, oil and gas, as well as a trade route and a source of cash flow for various parts of its economy.”
At the same time, she posits that there may also be security-related motivations for China’s claims to the region, given that greater control over the South China Sea would effectively shut off any sea-based threats to the Chinese mainland.
Insights & Analysis
The nine-dash line has been strongly disputed by a number of other countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan. These claims have been based in part on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which outlines the rights of states over waters in their vicinity. These countries have argued that China’s claims to the South China Sea exceed the limits outlined in the UNCLOS.
At the same time, there are also a number of other motivations behind China’s continued presence in the region. China has continually sought to project its presence in the South China Sea as a symbol of its growing political and economic power, and has even sought to exploit the region for geopolitical gain.
China’s Maritime Strategies
China has engaged in various strategies toassert its control over the South China Sea. These include the use of military forces to enforce its claim to the region, the construction of artificial islands, and the establishment of a network of outposts and military bases within the South China Sea.
In addition, China has also sought to use its considerable economic influence to further its aims in the South China Sea, engaging in a number of infrastructure projects within the region and leveraging its access to international markets. Finally, China has asserted its claims to the region through diplomatic negotiations and international law.
US-China Competition
The situation has been further complicated by the increasing presence of the United States in the region. The United States has been at the forefront of efforts to counter Chinese activities in the South China Sea, with its warships routinely engaging in ‘freedom of navigation’ operations in the area.
At the same time, the United States has sought to further undermine China’s position in the region by providing military and economic support to countries that oppose China’s claims. The competition for control over the South China Sea has become a key battleground in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.
Geopolitical Implications
The situation in the South China Sea has wide-reaching implications for geopolitics in the region and beyond. Australia, Japan, and other countries in the region have been vocal in their opposition to China’s presence in the area, while others have sought to use China’s claims as an opportunity to further their own geopolitical aims.
At the same time, the situation in the South China Sea has become a major point of focus in the ongoing global rivalry between the United States and China, with each country seeking to use the region as a strategic asset and a source of leverage in their negotiations.
Domestic Oil & Gas Exploration
China has continued to press its claim to the South China Sea despite heavy international opposition, and has sought to increase its control over the region by engaging in extensive domestic exploration for oil and gas. In recent years, Chinese firms have conducted extensive drilling for oil and gas in the South China Sea, and the government has sought to use the region as a source of revenue and strategic advantage.
At the same time, China has also sought to ensure its control of the region by engaging in ongoing diplomacy and military operations around the islands and maritime spaces in the South China Sea.
International Challenges
It is clear that China’s presence in the South China Sea will continue to draw criticism from a number of countries in the region, including competitors such as Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. In addition, the United States has made it clear that it is willing to confront China’s activities in the region and to defend the freedom of navigation and overflight rights of other countries.
China’s further development of the South China Sea will undoubtedly create further political, economic, and diplomatic challenges in the region. As such, it is important for all parties involved to ensure that their actions lead to peaceful resolutions which respect the rights of all states in the region.
