Nine-Dash Line Explained
Summary
TLDRThe video explores the controversial 'nine-dash line' (originally the '11-dash line') that China uses to justify its territorial claims in the South China Sea, particularly against the Philippines. The video delves into the historical context of the line, its origins after World War II, and China's opportunistic territorial claims. The legitimacy of these claims is questioned, especially given international laws like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which do not recognize China's assertions. The ongoing tension in the region is highlighted, with a focus on China's expansionist actions and the lack of absolute enforcement against such claims.
Takeaways
- 🌏 The South China Sea is a hotspot of tension, particularly between the Philippines and China, due to territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea.
- 📜 China's claim over this area is based on the controversial 'n-h line,' also known as the 'nine-dash line,' which they argue justifies their territorial claims.
- 🗺️ The 'nine-dash line' originally started as an 'eleven-dash line' in a 1947 map published by the Republic of China, but was later reduced to nine dashes by Mao Zedong in 1952 to improve relations with North Vietnam.
- ⚓ The origin of China's claims is traced back to historical events, including the Sino-French War and Japan's defeat in World War II, during which China opportunistically expanded its territorial claims.
- 🌊 Internationally, China's claims are not widely recognized. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not honor China's 'nine-dash line,' and a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling declared China's historic claims over these waters invalid.
- 🇵🇭 Despite the Philippines having legal backing, they lack the military strength to enforce their territorial claims against China, which has even constructed artificial islands in the disputed area.
- ⚖️ The script highlights the lack of a universally enforceable rule in the South China Sea, leading to ongoing confusion and unresolved territorial disputes.
- 🗣️ Several countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, have expressed support for the Philippines and criticized China's territorial ambitions in the region.
- 🚩 In 2023, China further escalated tensions by introducing a new 'standard map' with a tenth dash line near Taiwan, raising concerns over their territorial ambitions.
- 🤝 The script emphasizes the need for an absolute international rule that even powerful countries like China must follow to resolve the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Q & A
What is the significance of the NH line in China's territorial claims?
-The NH line, also known as the Nine-Dash Line, is a demarcation used by China to claim vast areas of the South China Sea, including parts within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It represents China's historical and territorial ambitions, though it is not recognized by international law.
How did the NH line originate?
-The NH line originated from an 11-dash line map published by the Republic of China in 1947, after the defeat of Japan in World War II. The line was later reduced to nine dashes by the People's Republic of China in 1952 as a gesture to North Vietnam.
Why is the NH line controversial in the South China Sea disputes?
-The NH line is controversial because it overlaps with the EEZs of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. This has led to ongoing disputes over sovereignty, fishing rights, and access to resources in the region.
What is the international community's stance on the NH line?
-The international community, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations, does not recognize the NH line. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) also does not honor China's claims based on this line.
How has China responded to international criticism of the NH line?
-China has rejected international criticism and continues to assert its claims over the South China Sea, even adding a tenth dash in a 2023 map to include Taiwan. China maintains that the NH line represents its historic rights, despite international rulings against it.
What was the ruling of the 2016 arbitral tribunal regarding the South China Sea disputes?
-In 2016, an arbitral tribunal concluded that China's claims of historic rights over the South China Sea had no legal basis where they exceeded the terms of UNCLOS. The tribunal ruled that China had not exercised exclusive control over the waters and resources.
Why is the NH line not recognized under international law?
-The NH line is not recognized under international law because it lacks a basis in UNCLOS, which defines a country's maritime rights based on its EEZ. The NH line extends far beyond China's EEZ, infringing on the maritime zones of other nations.
How has China physically reinforced its claims in the South China Sea?
-China has reinforced its claims by building artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea, particularly in disputed areas like the Spratly Islands. These actions have escalated tensions with other claimant nations.
What is the impact of the NH line on regional security?
-The NH line has significantly impacted regional security, leading to heightened tensions and militarization in the South China Sea. The ongoing disputes have strained relations between China and its neighbors, as well as between China and other global powers.
What potential solutions exist to resolve the South China Sea disputes?
-A potential solution would require a binding international agreement that clearly defines maritime boundaries and enforces compliance with UNCLOS. However, the lack of an absolute rule that even powerful nations must follow makes resolution difficult.
Outlines
🌊 Tensions in the South China Sea: Unpacking China's NH Line
This paragraph discusses the escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly the West Philippine Sea. China justifies its territorial claims by referencing the controversial NH line, a demarcation that China considers the basis of its sovereignty over the region. The paragraph raises questions about the legitimacy of this line and the broader implications of China's stance, especially in light of international pushback from countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
📜 The Origin and Controversy of China's Nine-Dash Line
This paragraph delves into the history and evolution of China's Nine-Dash Line, which originally started as the Eleven-Dash Line published in 1947. It explains how China removed two dashes from the line in 1952 as a gesture to North Vietnam and how the line has been used to claim territories in the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed by the Philippines. The paragraph highlights the international controversy surrounding the line, noting that it appears only on Chinese maps, not on those recognized globally.
🗺️ Historical Basis or Opportunistic Claim? Examining China's Actions
This paragraph questions the legitimacy of China's use of the Nine-Dash Line as a basis for its territorial claims. It argues that China's claim is more of an opportunistic grab than a historically justified action. The discussion traces the origin of the line back to China's post-World War II actions, where China claimed territories Japan had relinquished. However, the paragraph suggests that China's claims extend beyond what was historically theirs, leading to the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
📅 The 2023 Map and the 10th Dash: Expanding China's Ambitions
This paragraph addresses the controversy over China's new 2023 standard map, which includes an additional tenth dashed line near Taiwan. The addition of this line has sparked tensions, particularly with Taiwan and India, the latter of which lodged a diplomatic objection. The paragraph hints at China's intention to assert its claim over Taiwan and suggests that China can arbitrarily add more dashed lines to assert territorial claims, raising concerns over the legitimacy and implications of such actions.
⚖️ International Law vs. China's Territorial Claims: The Need for Absolute Rules
This paragraph discusses the challenges in enforcing international law against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. It references the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that rejected China's historic rights over the disputed areas, noting that China and a few other countries refuse to recognize this ruling. The paragraph emphasizes the need for a stronger, universally enforceable rule to prevent countries like China from unilaterally expanding their territories through imaginary lines on maps, as the current legal frameworks like UNCLOS are insufficient to curb such actions.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Nine-Dash Line
💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
💡United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
💡Spratly Islands
💡Arbitral Tribunal
💡South China Sea Dispute
💡Artificial Islands
💡West Philippine Sea
💡Historic Rights
💡Territorial Sovereignty
Highlights
The South China Sea is a major point of tension, especially between the Philippines and China, with disputes over the West Philippine Sea.
China claims that the area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) belongs to them, citing their controversial 'nine-dash line' as the basis for their claim.
The nine-dash line, originally an eleven-dash line, was published by the Republic of China in 1947 and later modified by the People's Republic of China.
China removed two dashes from the original eleven-dash line in 1952 to foster better relations with North Vietnam, highlighting the line's arbitrary nature.
The nine-dash line is only visible on Chinese-made maps, and is not recognized on international maps produced by other nations.
China's historical basis for the nine-dash line is rooted in the aftermath of the Sino-French war and the ambiguity of treaties signed with France regarding maritime borders.
After World War II, China claimed territories in the South China Sea that Japan had surrendered, but their claims were based on opportunistic expansions rather than clear legal rights.
In 2023, China published a new standard map that added a tenth dash near Taiwan, further escalating tensions in the region.
The 2023 addition of the tenth dash suggests China’s intent to assert claims over Taiwan, which has functioned as a separate country since 1949.
International law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), does not recognize China's extensive claims in the South China Sea.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled that China's historic rights over areas exceeding their EEZ have no lawful effect under UNCLOS.
Despite international rulings, China continues to build artificial islands and enforce its claims, largely because of the Philippines' limited ability to challenge China militarily.
The Philippines' inability to stop China highlights the need for stronger international rules to govern maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
The ongoing disputes in the South China Sea remain unresolved due to the lack of absolute laws that powerful countries like China are willing to follow.
The situation in the South China Sea is unlikely to be resolved soon, as involved countries show no signs of compromising on their claims.
Transcripts
with all the tension in the South China
Sea especially between the Philippines
and China particularly regarding their
disputes in the west Philippines Sea
what is the truth now China claims that
this area which is within the
Philippines exclusive economic zone is
still theirs they justify this by citing
their so-called n-h line so basically
China's n-h line is the ultimate basis
for their claim but what exactly is the
n-h line is it something that every
country should know and honor well today
I think we should dig deeper into this
matter because I have mentioned the n-h
line many times in some of my videos and
I think it's time to clarify this line
that is very controversial in the South
China Sea disputes so welcome to
grandline media and the n-h line of
China the US Canada and Australia have
all spoken out in support of the
Philippines they been critical of China
[Music]
where you have in the Forum Marcus War
in China that the Philippines will
respond accordingly talks about India
must be on the guard so the latest move
also comes on the heels of G2
Summit the nine dash line consists of
nine lines that you can see in this
region if you're using a map made by
China in other words you can't see it on
international maps made by other nations
only on those made by China originally
this dashed line was 11 and thus was
called the 11 dash line the 11-h line
Map was published by the Republic of
China on December 1st 1947 however in
1952 the founder of the People's
Republic of China Maad dong decided to
remove the two dashes located in the
Gulf of tonen amid warming ties with
North Vietnam meaning they gifted North
Vietnam this territory as a good Gest
for their communist comrades but the
funny thing is this gulf of tonen was
supposedly owned by Vietnam in the first
place I SM Something Fishy anyway at
least China is a good friend so based on
China's history each Dash in the nine-
line represents the range of China's
claimed territory if we look at China's
map the spratly islands fall Within
These dashes however the conflict arises
because parts of these islands are
clearly within the West Philippine Sea
so who is right who is the rightful
owner well to be honest it is
complicated to answer because if it were
easy we wouldn't have an ongoing dispute
in this sea right but the purpose of
this video is to dig deeper to
understand exactly what the n- line is
and whether it is a legitimate basis for
China's claim all of this started after
the war between China and France after
the Sino French war in 1885 China signed
the treat Treaty of tensen with France
and renounced its suzerainty over
Vietnam meaning China will now have
partly rights over Vietnam on June 26th
1887 the Ching government signed the
convention relating to the delimitation
of the frontier between China and tonen
which did not clarify the maritime
border between China and French
Indina in other words the agreement
didn't specify which Maritime
territories belong to China the
confusion became more challenged ing to
address after Japan's defeat in World
War II after Japan's defeat they
surrendered all their conquered islands
and seas including those in the South
China Sea this surrender occurred
through the potam Declaration which
essentially required Japan to relinquish
all territories it had acquired during
its conquests this included the total
withdrawal of Japan's military from
Chinese territory however the terms did
not specify the Republic of China's
sovereignty over the archipelagos and
surrounding Waters meaning there was no
clear statement about what China could
claim but then again in November 1946
China sent its Naval forces to claim the
parisel pratus and spratly Islands the
following year they made their map with
this 11 dash line stating that all
islands and seas within these lines were
their territory starting that year so
what was wrong with China's action if we
think about it what China did was
grabbing the
opportunity the war had ended Japan
surrendered its conquered territories
and China saw the chance to reclaim its
territory the problem was that they
claimed too much they used that
opportunity to take territories that
were not originally part of their Maps
even before Japan conquered them at that
time China was the only country in the
South China Sea with the capability to
make such an expedition and they used
that chance to claim more territories
and that was the origin of the 11- line
which later turned into the n- line map
of China now based on its origin do you
think China can use that as their
legitimate basis to claim the spratly
islands if we use common sense the
answer is obviously no it's Common Sense
the n-h line is merely a visual
representation of their territorial
Ambitions back then and even now when
Japan surrendered those islands they
conquered should have been given back to
their rightful owners back then the
paracels pratus and the spratly islands
had no claimants so China claimed them
instead despite the fact that these
areas were far from their Mainland but
do you know what's funnier about China's
dashed line well they can just add
another dashed line if they want to in
fact they did just that in 2023 when
they published their so-called new
standard map of China India has lodged a
diplomatic objection with China over a
new map which which lays claim to Indian
Territory the so-called
2023 standard map of China was published
earlier in the week now the controversy
over China's new standard map continues
to rage now chines defended the move and
urged India to stay objective and
refrain from interpreting this issue I
intend to make a separate video about
this new standard map because I think it
is a deep topic that needs a detailed
documentary especially in connection
with their dashed line in the new map
they added another dashed line now
called the 10th dashed line which is
just beside Taiwan of course this action
sparked more tension with some Nations
especially Taiwan why did they add the
10th dashed line does it mean that they
actually own Taiwan and want to show the
world that Taiwan is still a province of
China in fact Taiwan has been a separate
country since
1949 but you see China just did that so
does it mean that anytime and anywhere
they can just add a dashed line and
claim it as their territory funny isn't
it it is no surprise why international
law especially the United Nations
convention on the law of the sea does
not honor China's claim according to and
close all the islands and living and
non-living resources within 200 nautical
miles of a nation's Coast are under that
nation's jurisdiction so if we go to the
map the disputed areas are already far
from China's e EZ and some of them are
within the Philippines EZ known as the
West Philippine Sea on the 12th of July
2016 an arbitral tribunal concluded that
China's claim of historic rights over
the high seas has no lawful effect where
they exceed the terms of
anose one of the arguments was that
China had not exercised exclusive
control over these Waters and resources
actually the tribunal cannot rule on
matters of territorial sovereignty
however over 20 governments have called
for the ruling to be respected but it
has been rejected by eight governments
including the PRC and the RO or the
Republic of China this means that China
does not want to surrender its claims
despite knowing that legally they are
not the rightful owners of this part of
the sea but why no one can stop China in
fact China has even built artificial
Islands in this sea how come well the
short answer is that the Philippines is
not strong enough to stop China the long
answer is that there is still no
absolute law pertaining to the
jurisdiction of every country in the
South China Sea yes we have anose but it
cannot enforce its rules on China what
we need is an absolute rule that even
strong countries must follow without
such a rule the use of imaginary lines
on maps like the n-h line will continue
and the confusion over territories will
become harder to address I don't think
the disputes in this archipelago will be
be resolved soon because the countries
involved show no signs of surrendering
hopefully this n-h line will not fuel
more serious tensions between these
nations
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