What’s behind the South China Sea dispute? | Start Here

Summary

The South China Sea dispute is a complex issue driven by rich resources and strategic shipping lanes. China's historical claim, marked by the nine-dash line, faces opposition from ASEAN nations and the US, who protect trade routes and regional stability. China's naval expansion and militarization of islands have heightened tensions, while international law and ASEAN's Code of Conduct attempts to mediate the conflict. The region's future hinges on navigating these competing interests without escalating to war.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The South China Sea is a region rich in resources such as oil, gas, and fisheries, and it hosts some of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
• 🇨🇳 China claims control over the South China Sea to secure its trade routes and access to resources necessary for its economy, aiming to be a naval force in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• 🏝️ Multiple countries, including Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, claim rights to parts of the South China Sea, leading to territorial disputes.
• 🛳️ The US has a vested interest in the region due to the significant value of trade that passes through its shipping lanes, amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars.
• 📜 China's historical claim is based on the 'nine-dash line' drawn in 1929, which was later expanded in 2013 to include Taiwan, indicating an increasing territorial appetite.
• 🚢 Around 40% of the world's liquefied natural gas and $3 trillion worth of annual trade pass through the South China Sea, highlighting its strategic importance.
• ⚖️ The Philippines took China to court over territorial claims, and in 2016, an international tribunal ruled China's nine-dash line claim invalid.
• 🛡️ China has been militarizing the region by building outposts and military bases on contested islands to strengthen its territorial claims.
• 🇺🇸 The US asserts its navigational rights and presence in the South China Sea through naval patrols and military exercises with allies.
• 🤝 ASEAN countries have been attempting to establish a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to manage territorial disputes, but progress has been slow due to China's influence and differing interests among member states.
• 🕊️ Despite the potential for conflict, the South China Sea dispute often remains under the radar, with China viewing it as essential to its survival and playing a long-term strategy in the region.

Q & A

Why is the South China Sea a point of contention among various countries?

The South China Sea is rich in oil and gas, has abundant fish stocks, and features some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, making it a strategic and economically significant area.

What is China's strategic interest in the South China Sea?

China seeks to be a naval force across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to ensure its trade with the world and access to oil and gas to drive its economy, thus it wants to control the South China Sea.

What are the 'nine dash line' and 'tenth line' mentioned in the script?

The 'nine dash line' is a territorial claim by China based on old British sailing charts from 1929, which they used to outline their borders around the South China Sea. The 'tenth line' was added in 2013 to include Taiwan in China's territorial claims.

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

Approximately 40% of the world's liquefied natural gas passes through the South China Sea, and the trade that sails through there is worth $3 trillion a year, representing one-third of the global total.

How has China been asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea?

China has been planting its flag on contested islands, building outposts in the Paracels, and reclaiming over 13 square kilometers of land in the Spratlys since 2013 to turn them into military bases.

What is the role of the United States in the South China Sea disputes?

The U.S. aims to protect valuable shipping lanes and assert navigational rights and freedoms by having its navy sail through the South China Sea and conducting military exercises in the region with allies.

What was the outcome of the Philippines' case against China at The Hague?

The international tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, concluding that China's territorial claim based on the nine dash line is invalid and that it had no right to the Scarborough Shoal.

What is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and how does it relate to the South China Sea disputes?

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes exclusive economic zones extending 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline. China has signed up to this law, but its claims in the South China Sea have been challenged for not adhering to it.

What is the ASEAN's attempt to address the South China Sea disputes?

Since the 1990s, ASEAN has been trying to develop a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to control China's ambitions and manage disputes among member states, although progress has been slow.

Why has the dispute over the South China Sea remained unresolved?

The dispute remains unresolved due to the vastness of the area, high stakes involved, heavily armed nations defending their interests, and China's long-term strategic approach to the issue.

How does China view the South China Sea in terms of its national interests?

China sees the South China Sea as essential to its survival and national interests, which is why it has been persistent in its claims and actions in the region.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 South China Sea: A Strategic Naval Confrontation

The South China Sea is a region of significant geopolitical importance due to its rich natural resources and critical shipping lanes. This paragraph delves into the complex territorial disputes involving China's desire for control, the interests of other nations such as Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, and the strategic involvement of the United States. China's historical land-based power stance is contrasted with its recent naval ambitions in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, driven by economic needs for trade and resources. The narrative also touches on the nine-dash line, a territorial claim by China that has been contested and deemed invalid by international courts. The paragraph concludes with the current state of affairs, highlighting the military and strategic moves by China to assert its claims, the limited success of diplomatic efforts, and the ongoing tension that could potentially escalate into conflict.

05:03

📜 Legal and Diplomatic Efforts in the South China Sea Dispute

This paragraph examines the legal and diplomatic dimensions of the South China Sea dispute. It discusses the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which defines exclusive economic zones and to which China is a signatory. The Philippines' legal challenge to China's claims, resulting in a ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague favoring the Philippines, is highlighted. The paragraph also explores ASEAN's attempts to establish a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea and the challenges therein, including China's initial disinterest and subsequent push for such a code after its legal setback. The influence of ASEAN members' reluctance to antagonize China is noted, as is the ongoing tension between Vietnam and China. The paragraph concludes with an overview of the current diplomatic and military dynamics in the region, emphasizing the high stakes and the potential for confrontation, yet also noting the dispute's relative obscurity from mainstream attention.

Keywords

💡South China Sea

The South China Sea is a critical maritime region rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, and it serves as a major shipping lane for global trade. It is central to the video's theme as it is the focal point of territorial disputes and strategic interests among various nations, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, as well as external powers like the United States.

💡Territorial Claim

A territorial claim refers to the assertion of sovereignty over a geographic area. In the context of the video, China's territorial claim over the South China Sea is based on historical grounds and the 'nine-dash line,' which has been contested by other countries with their claims, leading to ongoing disputes.

💡Nine Dash Line

The 'Nine Dash Line' is a demarcation line on Chinese maps that outlines China's claimed territories in the South China Sea. It is significant in the video as it represents China's historical claim to the majority of the South China Sea, which has been challenged by other nations and international courts.

💡Naval Power

A naval power is a nation with a strong and influential navy. The video discusses China's aspiration to become a naval force across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, highlighting its recent naval developments and the strategic importance of controlling the South China Sea for trade and resource access.

💡ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries. The video mentions ASEAN in the context of its efforts to establish a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to manage territorial disputes and control China's ambitions in the region.

💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. The video explains that these zones extend 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline and are relevant to the disputes over fishing rights and seabed resources in the South China Sea.

💡International Tribunal

An international tribunal is a court that adjudicates disputes between states or international entities. The video refers to the tribunal at The Hague, which ruled in favor of the Philippines against China's territorial claims based on the nine-dash line, emphasizing the role of international law in resolving maritime disputes.

💡Reclamation

Reclamation in the context of the video refers to the process of land creation from oceans or seas, often for military or strategic purposes. China's reclamation activities in the Spratlys, adding over 13 square kilometers of land since 2013, is highlighted as a means to strengthen its territorial claims and military presence in the South China Sea.

💡Military Base

A military base is a fortified area used by armed forces for logistical support, housing, and the staging of military operations. The video discusses how China has turned reclaimed land into military bases in the South China Sea, which is part of its strategy to assert control over the disputed waters.

💡Naval Exercises

Naval exercises are military training events conducted by naval forces to practice and demonstrate their capabilities. The video mentions joint naval exercises involving the US, France, Japan, and Australia, as well as separate exercises by China and the US, which are part of the ongoing power dynamics and strategic signaling in the South China Sea.

💡Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct is a set of rules or guidelines intended to influence behavior in a positive manner. The video discusses ASEAN's efforts to establish a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to manage the complex web of territorial claims and reduce tensions in the region.

Highlights

The South China Sea is a contested area rich in oil, gas, and fish with some of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

China's desire for control over the South China Sea is driven by its ambition to be a naval force across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Other countries, including Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, claim rights to parts of the South China Sea.

The US is involved due to its trade routes worth hundreds of billions of dollars passing through the region.

China's historical claim to the South China Sea is based on the 'nine dash line' dating back to 1929.

In 2013, China added a tenth line to its claim to include Taiwan, indicating an expanding appetite for territory.

Approximately 40% of the world's liquefied natural gas and $3 trillion worth of trade pass through the South China Sea annually.

China has been asserting its territorial claims by building military bases on contested islands in the Paracels and Spratlys.

The US asserts navigational rights by sailing its navy through the South China Sea and conducting military exercises.

China's territorial claims have been challenged, with the Philippines taking the issue to an international tribunal at The Hague.

The international tribunal ruled China's 'nine dash line' claim as invalid in 2016.

ASEAN has been attempting to establish a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to manage territorial disputes.

China's push for a Code of Conduct came after losing the case with the Philippines, raising questions about its motives.

Not all ASEAN members are willing to confront China due to its significant power and influence.

Vietnam has had recurring disputes with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The South China Sea dispute is complex due to the vast area and high stakes involved, with heavily armed nations defending their interests.

China views the South China Sea as essential to its survival and is known for playing the long game in geopolitical strategies.

Transcripts

Let’s talk about the fight over the South China Sea.

It’s rich in oil and gas, there are loads of fish

and the shipping lanes are some of the busiest

in the world.

China wants control of it.

But other countries say they have rights to it too.

And the Americans — well they have trade routes

through there worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

So what’s behind China’s claim over these waters?

Why won’t it share?

And could it all lead to war?

China has been a land-based power for millennia

so it’s never had much of a navy

so it’s never had much of a navy

until now.

Today China wants to be a naval force across two oceans

the Indian and the Pacific.

That’s to make sure it can trade

with the rest of the world and get enough oil and gas

to drive its economy.

And to do that

Beijing wants to control the South China Sea.

But there’s a lot of competition.

Taiwan, for one, claims many of the same rights

that China does.

Then there’s Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia

and Brunei

they want to protect their turf

whether it’s rights to islands, seabed oil or fishing grounds.

Indonesia’s in there too.

And the Americans

they want to protect those valuable shipping lanes.

So no shortage of players.

The question is how is this all going to be resolved?

And then there’s the third option which involves

pushing some kind of compromise between

China and its neighbours.

Countries like Taiwan and others

that are members of ASEAN have tried.

But no one expects that to go anywhere anytime soon

because China knows what it wants.

And it’s been working towards that for a long time.

We’re talking about China’s nine dash line.

Back in 1929 the Chinese took a bunch of old British

sailing charts and told cartographers to draw

China’s borders.

One of them drew nine dashes

around the entire South China Sea.

And as far as the Chinese were concerned that was that.

So then in 2013 China added a tenth line to take in Taiwan.

So then in 2013 China added a tenth line to take in Taiwan.

Its appetite seems to be growing.

It’s easy enough to understand why China

wants control when you look at the numbers.

Around 40% of the world’s liquefied natural gas

passes through the South China Sea — from the Gulf

through the Indian Ocean and on to places like China.

The amount of trade that sails through there

is worth $3 trillion a year — one-third of the world total.

So there’s an expression in Latin that goes:

If you want peace prepare for war.

Now China has no immediate interest in war

but it wants to ensure its access to the South China Sea

if it comes to that.

In the west the main shipping lane

from the Indian Ocean narrows to just 3 km.

And it’s surrounded by American allies.

In the east there’s Taiwan

which has tonnes of American weapons

and could block China from getting to the Pacific.

So to help stake its territorial claim

China has planted its flag on contested islands

that are in those waterways.

In the Paracels China’s built a bunch of outposts

while in the Spratlys it’s added over 13 sq km

of reclaimed land since 2013

and turned them into military bases.

It may be unacceptable to the Americans

but neither the Obama nor the Trump administrations

are seen to have accomplished much.

The US’ main way of asserting navigational rights

and freedoms is having its navy sail

through the South China Sea.

It also conducts military exercises in the region

sometimes with warships from France, Japan

and Australia in the Bay of Bengal.

In July things got a bit hairy.

The Chinese and Americans both held naval exercises

in the South China Sea.

The US sailed in with two aircraft carrier strike groups.

And the Chinese accused the Americans

of escalating things.

Before the US elections the Trump team

gave it one last shot — with mixed results.

What everyone’s been trying to do is get China

to obey the law — namely the UN Convention

on the Law of the Sea.

The law establishes what are called

exclusive economic zones.

These extend 200 nautical miles

out from a country’s coastline

regardless of whether it’s the mainland or an island.

And China signed up to that law.

So the Philippines did the only thing it could.

It took China to court.

One of the big issues was fishing rights.

In 2013 the Philippines argued that China had no right

to the Scarborough Shoal.

It filed a case against the Chinese

with an international tribunal at The Hague.

Judges ended up siding with the Philippines.

Remember China’s territorial claim based

on that nine dash line?

Well in 2016 the court concluded that it’s invalid.

Since the 1990s ASEAN

that association of South Asian countries

has tried to cobble together a Code of Conduct

for the South China Sea.

The idea was to control China’s ambitions.

China hadn’t shown much interest in a code back then.

But after losing the case with the Philippines

the Chinese started to push for one.

Though some in ASEAN questioned their motives.

There’s another problem.

Not everyone in ASEAN is eager to offend a country

as powerful as China.

Vietnam has repeatedly butted heads with China

over their competing claims.

This year’s ASEAN summit was hosted by Vietnam

and a lot of it by video because of the pandemic.

But the social distancing wasn’t expected to help

delegates reach any agreements

on the South China Sea.

The problem with the South China Sea

is that it’s vast and the stakes are high.

There are a lot of heavily armed countries

defending their interests there.

And China’s coastguard as well as Chinese militia

using fishing boats often cause confrontations

on the open sea.

Many analysts worry about all of that provoking

a military response from someone.

But strangely enough the whole dispute

also sort of just bubbles away under the radar.

The Chinese see the South China Sea

as essential to their survival.

Thing is it’s important to everyone there.

That’s why this whole dispute isn’t going away.

But China’s been around for thousands of years.

If anyone is good at playing the long game, it’s China.

As with all our Start Here episodes this primer

is to get us started.

But there’s a lot more information out there to help

us understand what’s going on in the South China Sea.

As always subscribe wherever you’re watching this video

and I’ll see you next week.