After the fall of the USSR, there has been only one dominating superpower in the world, the USA. But in the present time, few more countries want to become a global power. One of which is China, which has recently come under global surveillance for its activities in the region.
China is already known for its territorial dispute with its neighbors. China has territorial disputes with 18 countries, while it only shares its border with 14 countries. This time China has come underworld scrutiny for its aggression in the South China Sea.
What is the South China Sea?
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. It is located on the south of China mainland, hence the name South China sea. The South China Sea is lies where the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean meet.
Why is the South China Sea Important?
The South China Sea is a very important geopolitical location. The region has great economic worth. According to estimates, the South China Sea has around 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in its seabed. The region is also responsible for 10% of the world's fisheries.
Around 30% of global trade passes through the region which is worth 3 trillion dollars every year.
However, the estimate of the natural resources in the region is said to be underestimated because of the dispute an actual estimation has not been possible. So, any country which has control over the region will benefit greatly from it.
What is the Dispute about?
Philippines, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei all have claims on different parts of the South China Sea. But China claims that a major portion of the South China Sea comes under their territory. China says it has a historical claim on the region. This is supported by their nine-dash line.
After Japan lost in World War II, it lost control over major portions of the sea including the South China Sea. China saw the opportunity and tried to claim it as their own.
To justify its claim on the region China came up with the “nine-dash line” in 1947. The nine-dash line is a confusing and imprecise marking by China which comprises about 90% of the South China Sea.
In 1982 the UN passed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It established the exclusive economic zone or EEZ. The EEZ shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breath of the territorial sea is measured.
Or to put it simply, every coastal nation has control of the natural resources found in the sea up to 200 nautical miles from their baseline.
While most of the nations in the region agreed to this. China on the other hand did not accept it and stuck to its nine-dash line. In recent years China has adopted a passive-aggressive stance in the region. China is using its naval and military power to scare away the other nations.
Claims on the Region:
The main concerns are the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands. As some portions of these islands lie beyond the SSZ and are therefore in international waters. These are a cluster of uninhabited islands, more of piles of sand.
The Spratly Islands are claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia. These islands are symbolically and geographically at the heart of the South China Sea.
Any country which has control over the islands can extend its EEZ to gain rights over the territory. China has the biggest claim, as it claims all of them are under its territory.
The Ayungin Shoal is claimed by the Philippines, as it is well within the EEZ of the nation (it is 105 miles from the coast of the Philippines). The Philippines have posted few people there.
But in 2013 China started to encroach on the shoal with its “The Cabbage Strategy". In this strategy, China surrounds an island with as many ships as possible.
Islands are soon covered by layers of ships like wrapping layers of cabbage with this China tries to cut off the inhabitants of the island from the supply of food and communication from their native country.
China and the Philippines both lay claim on the Scarborough Shoal which is just 100 miles. Seeing China's increasing encroachment on its territory, the Philippines took the matter to the international court.
In July 2016 the international court at Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines condemning China for invading the Philippines ' rightful territory. But China did not accept the ruling.
Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim in the region. Brunei does not claim any of the Spratlys but Malaysia claims a few of the islands. Claims by all the countries are legal and rightfully based on the UNCLOS except China.
India’s Stance on the Dispute:
India has a great interest in the dispute as China is threatening its allies in the region. India has a vested interest in the region's peace and free and open navigation. It is also a topic of concern as around $200 billion worth of trade for India passes through the South China Sea.
India should be concerned by this issue as if China is allowed to take what it asserts it can pose a threat to India. India can suffer serious losses in the region by losing an important trade route.
For the protection and maintaining peace in the region, India is strengthening its ties with countries like the US, and Australia. India is also conducting naval drills with the nations. India has also signed a pact with Australia which allows militaries to use each other's bases.
Written by - Priyanshu Bhardwaj
Edited by: Gourav Chowdhury
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