International Law and Geopolitical Factors
China’s ongoing dispute with its Southeast Asian neighbours over the South China Sea is rooted in geopolitics and international law. In terms of geopolitics, China has asserted its right to sovereignty over the South China Sea, which makes up a major part of its economic and strategic interests in the region. The country’s position is that the South China Sea is an integral part of its political, economic and security interests and there should be no interference in the area by external actors. In international law, China maintains that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants it ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over the waters. This includes the right to explore, use and build resources on the sea floor and its subsoil, as well as the right to exploit resources in the sea.
The Chinese government has also maintained that the island state of Taiwan, which also has a claim to the waters, should not be allowed to exercise any jurisdiction over the disputed maritime area. As Taiwan is a disputed territory between mainland China and the island authorities, China has rejected the claim.
However, other countries such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia have also laid claim to the South China Sea, citing their own historic, geographic and legal rights to the region. The Philippines, for example, has argued that its long-standing historical presence in the region makes it a legitimate claimant.
Environmental Impact
The dispute over the South China Sea is not just about economic and security interests, however. It also has very real environmental implications. The waters of the South China Sea contain some of the world’s most valuable fisheries, and are considered to be a rich habitat for numerous aquatic species, including some endangered ones. In addition, a large part of the sea’s seabed is biologically diverse, with coral reefs and seagrass beds providing invaluable habitat to a wide range of fish species.
The oil and gas deposits beneath the sea are also a major concern for environmental groups. In addition to the environmental impact of any potential drilling, any new oil and gas exploration would also undermine the existing coastal ecology, which could have serious consequences for the marine life. In addition, the artificial island building activities that have been carried out by China in recent years in the sea have also caused extensive damage to the marine environment.
Efforts to address the dispute have been hampered by the fact that both China and its Southeast Asian neighbours have refused to compromise on their respective claims. There have been several attempts by the international community to mediate, but with little success. In this context, many environmental groups have argued that it should be necessary for all the parties involved in the dispute to commit to the protection of the South China Sea’s biodiversity, as well as its fisheries industry.
Territorial Disputes
The South China Sea dispute is complicated not just by conflicting geopolitical interests, but also by territorial disputes between China and its neighbours. China has long claimed the bulk of the South China Sea as its own, including a long-disputed island chain known as the Spratlys, which it has occupied since the 1950s. The islands are also claimed by a number of other countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and the Philippines. The issue has been the subject of a series of negotiations and diplomatic initiatives over the last decade, with various proposals being put forward by all the parties.
In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines, finding that China had violated international law by occupying and building artificial islands in the disputed maritime area. The ruling, which was seen as a major setback for China’s claims to sovereignty over the sea, was rejected by the Chinese government. Despite this, the ruling has been largely seen as setting a precedent for other countries with similar territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
For its part, the Chinese government has sought to enforce its claims to sovereignty over the waters by stepping up its military presence and increasing its activities in the area. This has been done through the construction of artificial islands and other military installations, as well as by introducing a new law that requires all vessels operating within its claimed maritime boundaries to obtain prior permission from China.
The Economic Value
A key factor in China’s claim to the South China Sea is its economic value. It is believed that the sea is home to massive oil and gas reserves, as well as fisheries and other natural resources, making it an important economic asset for any country that can claim it. In addition, the South China Sea is a major trading route, with up to $5 trillion of trade passing through it each year, making it an important source of revenue for all involved.
China’s control over the sea would also give it an important strategic advantage, as the country would be able to exert more influence over the flow of trade in the region. This, in turn, would give China the ability to leverage these economic considerations for its own benefit.
However, the environmental and legal implications of Chinese rule over the South China Sea mean that many countries, including the US, have voiced their opposition to the country’s claims. These concerns have been largely echoed by environmental groups, who argue that any control exercised over the sea must take into account as well as the potential environmental impacts. Some have even argued that the dispute should be settled through international arbitration, rather than through military or economic means.
Regional Responses
The dispute over the South China Sea has sparked responses from regional governments and international bodies, including the United Nations, who have called on all parties to abide by international law and refrain from provocative actions. The US and its Asian partners, notably Japan and South Korea, have also voiced their support for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, and have urged China to de-escalate tensions and respect the sovereignty of other countries in the region.
At the same time, nations such as the Philippines and Vietnam, who have staked territorial claims on the sea, have pushed back against Beijing’s efforts to assert its authority over the disputed waters. The nations have also been taking a number of steps to protect their own interests, from strengthening maritime patrols to introducing new legislation, in order to safeguard their rights and freedoms in the region.
In response to these actions, China has sought to solidify its authority over the South China Sea by introducing its own measures, such as imposing fishing restrictions, increasing military patrols and introducing a new set of navigation rules. Such steps have been widely criticized by both international and regional actors, with many arguing that such measures only serve to further escalate the dispute.
Chinese Intentions
One of the most contentious aspects of the South China Sea dispute is the question of China’s intentions. Formally, China has stated that its claims to the sea are solely for the purpose of advancing its economic interests and protecting its sovereignty, and that it does not seek to dominate the region. However, many have criticized China for disregarding the interests of other countries and for its aggressive stance towards the dispute.
Critics argue that China’s intention is to establish its control over the South China Sea in order to gain economic and military advantages, such as access to resources and access to key trading routes. Such criticism has been echoed in the international community, with various nations and international organizations such as the United Nations expressing their concerns over China’s actions in the region.
At the same time, some have argued that China’s interests in the South China Sea are overstated, and that the country is exaggerating its economic and strategic importance. Critics argue that the dispute over the sea is more about geopolitical posturing, and that China’s intentions are not truly about asserting its control but are, in fact, motivated by a desire to shore up its reputation as a major regional power.
Conclusion
The dispute over the South China Sea continues to be a major source of tension in the region, with both China and its Southeast Asian neighbours refusing to compromise on their respective claims. However, it is clear that the dispute is not just about economic and security interests, but also has real environmental implications, with the potential oil and gas drilling activities and artificial island building activities being a source of concern. It is also clear that both China and its neighbours must take into account the long-term implications of the dispute and how it will affect the region’s environment, as well as the interests of the local populations.
Ultimately, it is up to the international community to intervene and help resolve the dispute. This includes finding ways to protect the region’s biodiversity and marine life, as well as ensuring a peaceful resolution that takes into account the interests of all the parties involved.
