Why China is building islands in the South China Sea

Summary

The South China Sea is at the center of escalating tensions due to territorial disputes, primarily involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. China has built man-made islands with military bases, raising global concerns. The region is rich in resources and vital for global trade. China’s controversial nine-dash line claims most of the sea, rejecting the UN’s 200-mile EEZ rule. The US, although not a claimant, patrols the area to protect international waters, with rising risks of conflict. While diplomacy prevails, the situation remains volatile, with nations ramping up military presence and stakes growing higher.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fiery Cross Island, a man-made island, was built by China and is home to a military base, an airstrip, a radar station, and missile defense system.
• 😀 The creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea began in 2014, with China rapidly constructing military bases on reefs in the Spratly Islands.
• 😀 The South China Sea holds significant natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and fisheries, and is critical for global shipping routes, making it a contested region.
• 😀 Five countries claim parts of the South China Sea, but China asserts a historical claim based on the nine-dash line, which ignores the UN's Law of the Sea regarding exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
• 😀 The Spratly Islands are strategically important, as controlling them allows countries to extend their EEZs and secure access to surrounding resources.
• 😀 China has constructed military bases on artificial islands in the Spratlys to assert control and protect its claim over the region, signaling a willingness to use force if necessary.
• 😀 The United States, though without a claim in the region, has been patrolling the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation and prevent China from asserting full control.
• 😀 China's Cabbage Strategy involves surrounding contested islands with ships, creating blockades that limit access to other nations, as demonstrated in Ayungin Shoal against the Philippines.
• 😀 The US has been maintaining a delicate position by continuing patrols and symbolically asserting its presence without directly engaging in the territorial dispute.
• 😀 In 2016, the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China's territorial claims, but China dismissed the ruling, and enforcement remains uncertain.
• 😀 The tensions in the South China Sea continue to rise, with countries increasing military presence and provoking each other, while the international community watches closely.

Q & A

What is the significance of Fiery Cross Island?

Fiery Cross Island is a man-made island in the South China Sea, home to a Chinese military base, including a 10,000-foot airstrip, advanced radar station, missile defense system, and about 200 troops. Its existence is significant because it was created in recent years, highlighting China's expanding influence in the region.

How did China create new islands in the South China Sea?

China used large ships to pump sand and rock onto remote reefs in the Spratly Islands, building artificial islands. This process started around 2014, with China constructing seaports, air bases, and military buildings on these newly created islands.

What are the main resources found in the South China Sea?

The South China Sea is rich in natural resources, including 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and it is home to 10% of the world's fisheries. It is also a critical trade route, with 30% of the world's shipping trade passing through.

What is the purpose of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?

The EEZ extends 200 miles from a nation's coastline, granting exclusive rights to the resources within this zone, including natural resources and trade. Countries are entitled to control and exploit these resources within their EEZ, which is recognized under the UN Law of the Seas.

How does China justify its claims in the South China Sea?

China claims historical ownership of the South China Sea, citing naval expeditions dating back to the 15th century. They mark their territorial claim using the 'nine-dash line,' a vague boundary that encompasses 90% of the South China Sea, which they assert despite other countries' competing claims.

What is the significance of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea dispute?

The Spratly Islands are contested by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Controlling these islands allows a country to extend its EEZ and gain exclusive rights to surrounding resources. The islands are both strategically important and rich in resources, making them a focal point of regional conflict.

How did China escalate tensions in the South China Sea with its artificial islands?

By building military bases on man-made islands in the Spratlys, China has significantly escalated tensions in the South China Sea. These bases allow China to exert greater control over surrounding waters, contributing to territorial disputes and a heightened military presence in the region.

What is the 'Cabbage Strategy' employed by China in the South China Sea?

The 'Cabbage Strategy' involves surrounding a contested island with a large number of ships, including fishing boats, surveillance ships, and naval destroyers. This tactic effectively blocks other countries' access to the island, gradually asserting control without resorting to open conflict.

What role does the United States play in the South China Sea conflict?

While the U.S. has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, it uses its naval power to ensure freedom of navigation in international waters. The U.S. opposes China's expansive territorial claims and has conducted patrols in the area, signaling its support for international maritime law and regional allies.

How has international law, specifically the 2016 ruling at The Hague, impacted the South China Sea dispute?

In 2016, the International Court at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China had violated the Philippines' territorial rights in the South China Sea. However, China rejected the ruling, and its non-compliance illustrates the challenges of enforcing international law in such disputes.