SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE

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INTRODUCTION :
   
            South China Sea is a 3.5 million square km of water body located in Asia. It is surrounded by countries such as China and Taiwan in the north, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia in the south, Philippines in the east and Vietnam in the west. This South China Sea is considered as one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The Malacca Strait joins the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean. Each year around USD 5.3 Trillion worth of trade takes place through this region. Around       1/3rd of the global maritime trade passes through this region. It is estimated that the South China sea has 11 Billion barrels of crude oil, 190 Trillion cubic feet of natural gas and is the home to the 10 % of the world’s fishing industry. However, the Chinese estimate that this region has 125 Billion barrels of crude oil and 500 Trillion cubic feet of natural gas.


 THE DISPUTE :-

                                    “ He who controls the sea, controls the world. ”

          This historical phrase seems to be somewhat relevant even in todays’ modern world. We can relate this phase to the some of the modern world’s dispute like that of the South China Sea dispute. This South China Sea dispute is a dispute between China and Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan. Each one of these countries wants to stake claim over this vast natural resourceful sea. According to the UN charter on maritime boundary, every country which is surrounded by any water mass can have 12 nautical miles of maritime boundary and up to 200 Nautical miles they can use for fishing and mining activities from their boundary. The United Nations supports the freedom of navigation. This region consists of large number of islands that are very small and mostly inhabited.
  

             This dispute began when China began building artificial islands in this region and began installing military infrastructure in this region. The other countries strongly protested and voiced their concerns against such Chinese aggression, over such developments in the region, which they claim as their own. USA has backed these countries against this Chinese act of aggression as USA believes in the freedom of navigation and some of these countries are USA allies. In 2015, Philippines have approached the International Court of Arbitration, at Hague against China. In 2016, the International Court of Arbitration voted against China. China refused to acknowledge such decision. It said that its activity in the South China Sea was totally legal and its maritime boundary in this region is based on the nine dash lines. This nine dash lines is a maritime boundary which China says that have been there for many centuries as Chinese tradesman used this region for their own trade with the International community.

               Skirmish frequently breaks out between the navies of both China and the neighboring countries in this South China Sea. In 2012, Philippines has harassed the Chinese fishing trawlers in this disputed region and also arrested the crew in one of the vessels. In 2015, china declared Air Identification Zone over the South China sea disputed region. Any international ships or planes passing through this region where the Chinese are building artificial islands are being given warning by the Chinese to backtrack their vessels. China has developed many artificial islands in this region. One of them is Fiery Cross Island. It is 1 square mile in size. In this island China has created military airstrips, cement factory, seaport and installed military radars. By doing so China not only have further cemented its claim on the South China Sea but also can track the Ships passing through this region. In order to get prepared for any eventualities in the future, the United States conducts military exercises with its allies in this region to safeguard the interest of its allies and to support freedom of navigation. The United States flies past its planes over this disputed region on a routine basis and has also have it military ships and carrriers in the region.



 INDIA'S POSITION :-

             This disputes have also somewhat dragged New Delhi. Firstly, 97% of India’s International trade are the maritime trade. Around ½ of India’s maritime Trade passes through this region. So if any conflict breaks out in this region it will have huge effect over India’s maritime trade passing through this region. Secondly, India is the 3rd largest oil consumer in the world. Its oil consumption is increasing at an annual growth rate of 4.2 % and it imports around 80 % of its oil requirements. Recently India’s ONGC Videsh has tied up with Petro Vietnam over oil cooperation in the South China Sea. India wants to secure its new energy sources for the future. In the event of any aggression, it will affect India’s oil consumption market, which India wants to avoid. Thirdly this dispute is a keystone in India’s Act East Policy. India wants to establish herself as a regional leader. India has recently sold military equipments to Vietnam. 


     

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