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The Powder Keg of the South China Sea


Good morning. Welcome back to Surviving in the World (SIW), your newsletter written by CI students for anyone interested in global affairs. We always try to present select topics in global news in an easy-to-understand format.

 

In today’s issue, we explore the South China Sea and its significant impact on global security.
 

Brought to you by: Keonhee Ahn (’25).

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Word Count: 547 / Time: 5 minute read.

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Failing Peace offers a human-centered look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of sustainable peace. (Source: Wardah Books)

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What happened?

 Over the recent years, China has been flexing its power over its neighboring countries through small acts of defiance. what is even more concerning is the hard power that China displays through military action taken in areas not only pertaining to Asia but the entire world. 

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 One only needs to look at the situation near the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to recognize this military display. Through the use of water cannons, intentional collisions, and resulting casualties, the South China Sea has become a ticking time bomb.

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Geographical location

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  •  The Spratly Islands: The Spratly Islands are an archipelago in the southern part of the South China Sea Consisting of more than 100 islands and reefs, this region is heavily contested, with the countries of Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines each controlling a part of it. Yet, according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Spratly Islands are part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. Despite this, China continues to claim that 90% of the South China Sea is under its jurisdiction, which conflicts with the interests and legitimate claims of neighboring countries.

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  •  Scarborough Shoal: One area that is heavily disputed is the Scarborough Shoal, a reef system in the South China Sea, 220km west of Luzon Island in the Philippines and 920km from Hainan Island. This strategically important and resource-rich area has been fought over by the Philippines and China, with the Philippines stating that the proximity of Scarborough Shoal places it under their control as part of its Exclusive Economic Zone. China retorts by citing the historical background of the area. Since 2012, China has maintained substantial control over the area.​

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A Chinese coast guard vessel is using water cannons to attack a Philippine ship in disputed waters of the South China Sea (Source: YONHAP NEWS)​

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Global Reactions

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  •  The Philippines filed a case with the International Permanent Court of Justice (PCA), and in 2016, the PCA recognized Spratly Islands as the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone. With legalized recognition of the area as their domain, the Philippines has encouraged fishing in these waters as well as building a long-range missile base that is capable of deterring and attacking Chinese ships that provokingly enter the territory. 

  •  China has disregarded the PCA’s decision, still claiming South China Sea sovereignty. As a sign of defiance, China has built artificial islands and maritime bases in the South China Sea and has moved to ramp up military power through the construction of these bases on the Scarborough Reef. This has been widely condemned by the international community, yet China stands firm in its decision. 

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  •  President Joe Biden of the United States delivered a strong warning to China in October of last year, saying, "The U.S. defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad," adding, "It will trigger a mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines against any attack on aircraft, ships or troops in the Philippines."

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  •  Japan has also shown support for the Philippines by conducting several joint exercises with the Maritime Self-Defense Force. In addition, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force’s TC90 aircraft and the land self-defense force have delivered multi-purpose helicopter parts to the Philippines free of charge. The Philippines has also made diplomatic visits to Vietnam and Indonesia to discuss joint countermeasures against China’s claims to the South China Sea.

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Why should you care?

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  •  The U.S. and China are engaged in an intense competition for maritime dominance in the Asia-Pacific region. The two superpowers have conflicting agendas with China’s expansionary policies colliding against the United States’ promise to protect its allies in the  Asia-Pacific region. 

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  •  A compromise appears unlikely, and with nations like Australia and Japan aligning themselves with the U.S., tensions in the South China Sea are expected to intensify further.​

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