The West Philippine Sea Dispute, Explained

Summary

The South China Sea, particularly the Spratly Islands, is a region marked by territorial and maritime disputes, involving countries like China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. These islands are strategically significant due to their natural resources and location along key shipping lanes. The Philippines asserts its claim based on historical treaties and maps, while China challenges this through its controversial nine-dash line. Despite an arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines, China refuses to acknowledge the decision, leading to ongoing tensions. The resolution remains elusive, with experts advocating for peaceful legal solutions over military confrontation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasizes that the country intends to resolve the West Philippine Sea dispute peacefully.
• 😀 Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio asserts that a peaceful resolution is the only viable solution for the Philippines to win the dispute.
• 😀 Carpio argues that using military force against China would be futile, as the Philippines stands no chance in a direct conflict.
• 😀 The Philippines' legal case against China is strong, particularly based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which supports peaceful dispute resolution.
• 😀 China refuses to engage in legal arbitration or mediation, hindering the possibility of a peaceful settlement.
• 😀 The UN Charter mandates that territorial disputes must be settled through peaceful means such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
• 😀 China's military strength is a key factor in its continued occupation of Philippine territories and its disregard for international law.
• 😀 The Philippines has a strong case in the court of law, but China’s strategic avoidance of legal processes complicates efforts to resolve the dispute.
• 😀 Carpio believes the West Philippine Sea issue will remain unresolved for generations, with long-term consequences for the Philippines.
• 😀 The Philippines faces significant challenges in defending its territorial claims as China continues to delay legal resolutions and expand its military presence in the region.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Kalayaan Group of Islands (KIG)?

The Kalayaan Group of Islands (KIG), also known as the Spratly Islands, is located in the South China Sea. The islands are important due to their strategic location, abundant fishing grounds, and underlying oil and gas reserves. They also lie along key international shipping lanes, making them highly contested.

Which countries are involved in the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands?

Six countries are involved in the territorial dispute over the Spratlys: China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei. Each country claims some or all of the islands, with China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claiming the entire group.

What military presence is established by the countries claiming the Spratlys?

The countries claiming the Spratlys have established military outposts. China has extensive military infrastructure, including air bases, naval port facilities, and surveillance systems. Malaysia occupies five outposts, Taiwan has an airstrip on Itu Aba Island, and Vietnam has around 50 outposts with defensive positions. The Philippines occupies nine outposts, including Thitu Island, which has an airstrip.

What is the 'West Philippine Sea' and how did it come to be named?

The 'West Philippine Sea' is the name given by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in 2012 to the waters within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The name was formalized through Administrative Order 29 to assert Philippine sovereignty over the area.

What was the outcome of the Philippines' legal case against China regarding the South China Sea?

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China's claims in the South China Sea, particularly the nine-dash line, were unlawful. The ruling affirmed the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, a decision that China has rejected.

What are the main differences between territorial disputes and maritime disputes?

A territorial dispute concerns disagreements over which state exercises sovereignty over a specific territory, while a maritime dispute involves conflicts over the demarcation of maritime zones, such as exclusive economic zones (EEZs) or territorial seas.

How did the Philippines inherit its territorial claims over the Spratlys?

The Philippines inherited its territorial claims over the Spratlys through a series of historical treaties. These include the Treaty of Paris (1898), the Treaty of Washington (1900), and the 1930 Treaty with the United Kingdom, which defined the boundaries of the Philippine Archipelago. The Philippines maintains that the Spratlys were part of the territory ceded to the U.S. by Spain and later inherited after independence in 1946.

What role do historical maps play in the Philippines' territorial claims over the Spratlys?

Historical maps, such as the 1734 Murillo Velarde map and the 1875 Carta General del Archipielago Filipino, are crucial in supporting the Philippines' territorial claims over the Spratlys. These maps show the Spratlys as part of Philippine territory during the Spanish and American periods, reinforcing the legal basis for Philippine sovereignty.

Why is the Philippines advocating for a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea dispute?

The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., seeks a peaceful resolution to the dispute, as advocated by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio. The Philippines believes that legal means, such as arbitration, offer the best chance for success, as China has a stronger military but lacks a solid legal claim.

How has China responded to international arbitration regarding the South China Sea dispute?

China has rejected the international arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines and refuses to recognize the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. China's position is to avoid legal resolutions and has instead focused on its military presence and occupation of the Spratlys.