South China Sea disputes continue to incite regional tensions
In Southeast Asia, tensions surrounding territorial claims and maritime activities in the South China Sea persist, with China alleging its sovereignty over the largest area of the Sea.
The territorial disputes are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into effect in 1994, providing a legal framework for resolving issues related to maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones, and ocean-related rights and responsibilities.
According to the 2016 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, more than 21% of global trade is transported through the South China Sea, making it an invaluable trading route.
(Image Source: Wall Street Journal)
Key issues
The primary issue in the South China Sea disputes centers on overlapping territorial claims — specifically over the Spratly and Paracel island chains. Multiple countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have competing interests over the islands as well as reefs and surrounding waters.
Environmental concerns have surfaced due to climate change, overfishing, coral reef damage, and pollution. On October 23, the United States renewed a warning that it would defend the Philippines militarily in case of an attack. The US has also advocated for a binding code of conduct in the Sea area.
China’s historic claims further complicate the resolution of this maritime conflict. China insists on its sovereignty over the disputed region due to their alleged first discovery of the trade route. However, their historical claims are disputed by Vietnam and not supported by international law.
Recent developments
In 2016, the International Criminal Court ruled in favor of the Philippines against China's expansive territorial claims, though China has ignored the tribunal's decision and continues to assert its territorial right to the Sea. In August, during the US-Japan-South Korea summit, the three countries publicly condemned the Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
Most recently, dozens of Chinese ships encircled Philippine vessels on November 11. In October, the collisions of Chinese and Philippine ships provoked defensive statements from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a warning from U.S. President Joe Biden, citing the Mutual Defense Treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines.