TOPIC- SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE
What is SCS DISPUTE
South China Sea is a part of the Pacific ocean AND is bordered by some of the ASEAN countries
and China. The South China Sea is considered one of the busiest waterways in the world. It is
very significant for trade. The dispute has maritime and island claim, in the region by 7
countries that are Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
GENESIS. - The genesis is in "eleven-dashed line" which was declared by the Chinese
government in 1947, which was later changed to "Nine-dash line" in by Communist China. This
line covers most of the South China Sea which China claims to be a part of its territory and
hence it holds right over the region.
- The nine-dash line includes important islands such as the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands
etc. but Vietnam challenges Chinese claims by saying that China had never claimed
sovereignty over the islands and that it had ruled over both Islands since the 17th
century. Similarly, Philippines claims control over the Spratly Islands
- The UNCLOS agreement (United Nations Convention on Law of the Seas) is signed by
every claimant of the SCS but still there is dispute. Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and
China, Malaysia claim over the Spratly Islands.
Why are the nations disputing over the South China Sea?
1. South China Sea plays an significant role in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region. It
comprises one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
2. There are Natural resources like oil and gas, and fishing is other reason for claims over
SCS.
3. the region holds around 11 billion barrels of oil.
4. contains one of the unexplored oil and gas reserves in the world
If claims of china are accepted, then no other country will be able to compete with China,
economically and strategically.
If the nine-dash line is accepted, the EEZ of other countries in the region will be shortened.
This will also affect the Freedom of Navigation and Over-flight in the region as China claims
complete authority.
By claiming the sovereignity over it, china wants to safeguard the control over the sea lanes
which are important of exports and imports. They have also built artificial islands.
Recent developments
The Philippines went to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2013. The court gave order in
the favor of Philippines. It was observed that china cannot exercise control over the region
which it claims to fall within the nine-dash line.
CURRENT SITUATION
▪ China as increase its military activity in the south china sea by conducting a series of
naval exercise’s in march and april 2018
▪ Meanwhile China continues to contract military and industrial outpost on artificial island
it has built in disputed waters
▪ The united states has also stepped-up its military activity and naval presence in the
region in recent years, Including freedom of navigation operations in January and march
2018
India and the South China Sea
1. For the success of its "Act-East" policy, it is essential that there must free and extensive trade
with the ASEAN countries. This cannot happen if China restricts access to the sea lanes passing
through the South China Sea.
2. Territorial disputes are a major hindrance to regional trade and commerce and the full potential
of trade agreements like India-ASEAN FTA, or the RCEP cannot be realized if the region gets
entangled in disputes.
Conclusion
Peaceful and quick resolution of the dispute is essential to enhance the growth and prosperity
of countries and peoples in the region by sustainable use of the resources contained in the
South China Sea. US, Japan, Australia, ASEAN etc. have taken a attitude similar to that of India to
respect international law and maintaining the freedom of navigation and overflight in the
region.
