What is the South China Sea dispute?

Summary

The South China Sea is a flashpoint for territorial disputes, with multiple nations vying for control over its rich resources and shipping lanes. China's expansive claims, backed by historical maps, conflict with those of Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Brunei. The 2016 PCA ruling rejected China's claims under international law. Recent incidents have heightened fears of a regional conflict, potentially involving the US, due to defense treaties and military presence in the area.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The South China Sea is one of the most disputed regions in the world, with multiple countries competing for control.
• ⚔️ There is a risk of a regional war or even a global conflict involving powers like China and the US due to tensions in the area.
• 🚢 The South China Sea is crucial for global trade, with more than 20% of trade (around $3.3 trillion) passing through its waters annually.
• 🛢️ It is believed to hold vast natural resources, including around 11 billion barrels of oil and 90 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
• 🏝️ The Paracel and Spratly Islands are central to the dispute, as they are believed to be surrounded by potential reserves of natural resources.
• 📜 China claims around 90% of the South China Sea, basing its claims on a 1947 map drawn by pre-communist China.
• ⚖️ In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claims have no legal basis under international law.
• 🚨 There have been multiple confrontations, the latest being a clash between China and the Philippines in August, leading to diplomatic protests.
• 🤝 The US has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and could be drawn into the conflict if tensions escalate.
• 🛡️ China has vowed to defend its territorial interests by any means necessary and has multiple outposts in the disputed islands.

Q & A

Why is the South China Sea considered one of the most disputed regions in the world?

The South China Sea is highly disputed because multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Brunei, claim parts of its waters, leading to intense territorial competition for control over its strategic resources and trade routes.

What could potentially trigger a regional war in the South China Sea?

A regional war could be triggered by a miscalculated attack or a clash between the involved countries, particularly if tensions between global powers like China and the US escalate.

What is the significance of the South China Sea for global trade?

The South China Sea is crucial for global trade, with over 20% of the world's trade passing through its waters annually, amounting to approximately $3.3 trillion.

What natural resources are believed to be found in the South China Sea?

The South China Sea is thought to contain around 11 billion barrels of oil, 90 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 10% of the world's fisheries, making it a highly sought-after region for natural resources.

What are the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and why are they important?

The Paracel and Spratly Islands are at the heart of the South China Sea dispute because they are believed to be surrounded by significant reserves of natural resources, including petroleum. The US Geological Survey estimates that the Spratly Islands may hold between 0.9 to 3 billion barrels of petroleum.

Why does China claim around 90% of the South China Sea?

China bases its claim on a map drawn by pre-communist China in 1947, which originally had 11 dashes indicating Chinese territory. After the Communist Party took over in 1949, the map was revised to exclude two dashes in the Gulf of Tonkin, giving territory to Vietnam.

What was the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding China’s claims?

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China's claims in the South China Sea, stating that Beijing's territorial claims have no legal basis under international law.

How has the US become involved in the South China Sea conflict?

The US is involved through its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, which could oblige the US to defend the Philippines in a conflict. Additionally, the US has a military presence in the region and conducts joint military exercises with its allies, such as the Philippines, Australia, and Canada.

What measures has China taken to assert its claims in the South China Sea?

China has established 20 outposts in the Paracel Islands and 7 in the Spratly Islands. It has also conducted military exercises in the area and vowed to protect its territorial interests by any means necessary.

What does the United Nations say about the South China Sea territorial waters?

According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), states can control the waters within 370 km (or 200 nautical miles) of their shores, known as Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). UNCLOS also grants ships the right of innocent passage through other states' territorial waters.