China-Philippines Clash over South China Dispute

Syllabus: GS2/ IR

In Context

• The Philippine accused China of carrying out “repeated aggressive, unprofessional and illegal” actions in the South China Sea.

Background

• The South China Sea, located south of China, is bordered by Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• The tensions between China and other nations have escalated in recent years, largely due to China’s rise as a global power.
• The South China Sea is of immense strategic importance, and China seeks to control it to assert dominance in the region.

China’s Claims and the ‘Nine-Dash Line’

• China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea are marked by the “nine-dash line,” which was first issued in 1947.
• This line encompasses nearly 90% of the South China Sea, including waters and islands.
• China argues that its claims are based on “historical maritime rights,” though it has not provided clear coordinates for the line.
• To reinforce its claims, China has engaged in activities such as constructing artificial islands, military installations, and ports, particularly in the Paracel and Spratly Islands.

International Response

• China’s claims have been contested by other countries, leading to heightened tensions. 
• The United States, seeking to protect its own interests and support regional allies, has increased its military presence and aid to countries opposing China’s claims.
• In 2016, the Philippines brought the dispute to an international tribunal, which largely rejected China’s nine-dash line but China rejected the verdict.

Importance of the South China Sea

• Strategic Importance: It is one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world, extending from the Strait of Malacca in the southwest, to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast.
  • It is a crucial maritime gateway and junction for shipping between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• Natural Resources: The sea contains an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
• Fishing Grounds: It is home to rich fishing grounds, vital for the livelihoods of millions in the region.
• Trade Route: The sea is a crucial maritime trade route, with over 21% of global trade, amounting to $3.37 trillion, passing through it in 2016.

India and South China Sea

• India’s stance on the South China Sea has seen a significant shift in recent years, reflecting its broader strategic and economic aspirations on the global stage.
• India has been increasing cooperation, defence as well as economic, with these countries to take its resistance to maritime Chinese influence to China’s own backyard.

Way Ahead

• The disputes in the South China Sea require a political framework, which can only be created through dialogue.
• Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should try to find a political solution through ‘quiet diplomacy’.
  • The potential for resolving this issue through legal methods is very low.

Source: IE

Further Reading: 21st ASEAN-India Summit