-By Nurfaizah binti Jamal
The South China Sea is a region of immense strategic importance, characterized by overlapping territorial claims from several Southeast Asian nation, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, alongside China. The sea is a vital shipping route, accounting for roughly 30% of global maritime trade, and is believed to contain oil and gas reserves as well as rich fishing grounds. As the region's nations seek to protect their interests and maintain stability, they are faced with a dilemma: how to balance their economic ties with China and their security relationships with the United States, all while asserting their sovereignty in the contested waters of the South China Sea. China's expansive claims in the region, marked by its infamous "nine-dash line," have collided with the maritime rights and territorial claims of its neighbours, leading to a series of incidents and a growing sense of unease in the region. For the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South China Sea issue has posed significant challenges. As the South China Sea disputes continue, Southeast Asian nations need to balance their different interests while keeping the region stable. This will require careful handling, using their strengths and promoting cooperation with international support.
How did China take charge in the South China Sea and change the game? China's extensive "nine-dash line" claim, which asserts sovereignty over approximately 90% of the South China Sea based on historical narratives. The South China Sea's territorial disputes can be traced back to the 1947 "Nine-Dash Line" map created by China's Kuomintang government, which claimed a significant portion of the sea. China's claim, which is vague and lacks clear geographical coordinates, has led to significant disputes with neighbouring countries. While China justifies its claims based on historical grounds, other nations, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, contest these assertions by invoking historical governance and international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This ongoing tension highlights the complexities of sovereignty and maritime rights in a region critical for global trade and resource access.
Tensions have increased because of China’s aggressive actions, such as land reclamation and militarizing disputed areas. This has led to confrontations at sea and raised concerns about regional stability. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, citing historical records from the 17th century. However, this claim is in direct conflict with China, particularly regarding the Parcel Islands, where China has established military bases. The Philippines bases its claim over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grants coastal states exclusive economic zones (EEZ) extending 200 nautical miles from their shores (Zhang,2023). China's overlapping claims have resulted in conflicts with the Philippines, particularly in the Scarborough Shoal area. Malaysia and Brunei also have overlapping claims with China in the South China Sea, particularly around the Spratly Islands, further complicating the situation.
The South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines has escalated significantly in recent years, marked by a series of confrontations and aggressive actions. On Monday august 26, 2024 the Philippine government has accused China of "repeated aggressive, unprofessional, and illegal" activities in the region, particularly near the contested Scarborough Shoal and other areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Tensions peaked recently when a Philippine vessel was involved in a collision with a Chinese ship, leading to accusations from both sides regarding the nature of the incident. The Philippines asserted that it was the Chinese vessel that struck first, while China claimed the Philippine ship acted provocatively (Wong, 2024). These incidents are part of a bigger pattern of aggressive actions by Chinese forces, such as using water cannons and military-grade lasers against Philippine ships during resupply missions to troops in the Spratly Islands. The conflict stems from China's broad claims over the South China Sea, shown in its "nine-dash line," which has been widely rejected by international law, including a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines. Despite this ruling, China has continued to assert its claims, leading to heightened tensions and fears of a potential military confrontation in this strategically vital maritime region.
How the international community responded to the recent clashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea? In response to these escalating tensions, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines under the mutual defence treaty, with officials emphasizing that any attack on Philippine military assets could trigger a U.S. response. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned China's aggressive actions, underscoring the U.S.'s "ironclad commitment" to defend its ally (Li, 2024). This situation has caused concerns about possible mistakes that could lead to a bigger conflict, with analysts warning that the risk of accidental escalation is high due to the current tensions. Diplomatic efforts have been made to calm the situation. Chinese and Philippine officials recently held talks to ease tensions while still holding on to their territorial claims. Both sides expressed a commitment to enhance communication and explore cooperative measures, although significant disparities in their positions remain (Venzon, 2024). In general, the international community has responded with a mix of critique of China's aggressive methods, sympathy for the Philippines, and cautious hope about diplomatic options, all while acknowledging the precarious nature of the situation in the South China Sea.
The economic and security dilemmas faced by Southeast Asian nations in the context of the South China Sea are multifaceted and deeply interconnected. Many countries in the region, such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, have significant trade relationships with China, which is often their largest trading partner. This economic dependence is further reinforced by substantial Chinese investments in infrastructure through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), creating opportunities for growth but also increasing reliance on China. However, this dependency creates worries about compromising national sovereignty, as nations may feel forced to align their policies with Chinese interests, especially in the disputed South China Sea, which is rich in resources and strategically important for global shipping routes.
In terms of security, the South China Sea is fraught with territorial disputes, as several Southeast Asian nations have overlapping claims with China. China's assertive military presence and the militarization of artificial islands in the region pose significant security threats, leading countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia to seek security partnerships with the United States. These partnerships frequently involve military cooperation, joint exercises, and defence agreements intended at preventing possible Chinese attack. Furthermore, Southeast Asian countries participate in regional security frameworks, such as the Quad or ASEAN-led dialogue, to enhance collective security mechanisms.
In conclusion, The South China Sea remains a pivotal arena of geopolitical tension, shaped by the complex interplay of national interests, historical claims, and international law. As Southeast Asian nations grapple with the dual pressures of economic ties to China and security partnerships with the United States, they face a challenging balancing act. The region's strategic importance, as seen by its vital transportation routes and vast natural resources, makes it a magnet for both regional and global powers. The ongoing conflicts, notably between China and nations such as the Philippines and Vietnam, emphasise the vulnerability of marine sovereignty and the risk of conflict. Ultimately, the path to stability in the South China Sea lies in a collective effort to uphold international law while respecting the sovereignty of all nations involved. By fostering collaboration and seeking peaceful resolutions, Southeast Asian countries can work towards a more secure and prosperous future in this strategically vital region.
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