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The South China Sea is not only economically important for Malaysia as a maritime nation, but it is also as important from the perspective of national security. The area is globally important for a few reasons. Utapao has been suggested as a permanent Southeast Asian Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) hub. South China Sea is also strategically important due to the rising competition between China, Vietnam, Philippine and the US for military supremacy in the Asia-Pacific region. Strategic. This puts more pressure on Washington to intervene and U.S. allies and partners in Asia are watching carefully and drawing conclusions about U.S. commitment and staying power in the region. Currently, President Xi Jinping makes frequent references to Chinas possession of the South China Sea since ancient times an assertion that lacks any validity historically or legally. The China - Solomon Islands security agreement and the competition in the South China Sea. We will defend freedom of the seas and skies.. Navy P-8s are now regularly deploying to Singapore and, although without regular access, they have conducted patrols from Malaysia as well. India will lose its current freedom of access into the South China Sea and much of Southeast Asia. The United States has been largely successful at preserving its own freedom of action and deterring outright Chinese aggression in the South China Sea through routine presence operations. China, of course, has important strengths in Burma. In addition to far flung island territories (formerly occupied by Japan) in the South Pacific, the United States had a substantial military garrison in Japan and close ties with South Korea and the Philippines a former colony. The United States calls this treaty the Law of the Sea Convention.. The growing size and capability of the Chinese air force, navy, and coast guard allow Beijing to consistently monitor and exercise de facto control over most of the South China Sea. Almost all the East Asian countries are dependent on this sea. Current developments in the South China Sea must be understood against the backdrop of recent history. More than half of the world's fishing vessels are in the South China Sea, and millions of people depend on these waters for their food and livelihoods. China has steadily built capabilities and infrastructure, most notably military facilities on artificial islands, that enable greater control of the South China Sea. The result has been to heighten tensions and allow Chinese forces to more easily project military power across the region. Center for Strategic and International Studies China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and. The strategic importance of the SCS is mainly due to its geographical location, as the area is one of the worlds busiest and most strategic shipping lanes. India and Vietnam, while acknowledging the strategic importance of the SCS and their volatile position when it comes to China's rising power, are edging closer toward each other. These straws-in-the-wind gained strategic context because the PRC had long published official maps showing a boundary encompassing almost the entire South China Sea the nine-dash line.. The geopolitical message was unmistakable: Western expectations that China was transitioning toward political democracy were entirely illusory. Follow the Asia Program on Twitter @AsiaProgram. In addition, this thesis intends to propose a solution to the dispute by pulling from a variety of sources. Sign up to receive The Evening, a daily brief on the news, events, and people shaping the world of international affairs. India is training crews for Vietnams new Kilo-class submarines and will sell Vietnam BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. More than 50% of world trade passes through the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait over the islands and waters of the South China Sea. 2014 The United States and the Philippines sign an enhanced defense pact, strengthening the U.S.-Filipino relationship. Indeed, when push came to shove, China would force its bilateral partners to choose between economic prosperity on the one hand and security and even sovereignty on the other. Despite all that, Beijing now faces a competition with Washington (and Delhi and Tokyo) for influence in Naypyidaw. The United States also faces a challenge in enforcing international law in the South China Sea. 1) Islands are much more strategically valuable. U.S. interests in the South China Sea fall into three broad categories including: (1) Economic interests tied to the sea-lanes; (2) Defense ties with allies and other security partners; and (3) Implications for the global balance of power and influence. All countries want positive economic and security ties with both China and the United States. If China succeeds, in displacing U.S. power in the Western Pacific and Chinese territorial expansion into the South China Sea becomes permanent and codified, global geopolitics will have entered a new and very different era. With a new Southeast Asian strategic alignment taking shape as described, geography makes Indonesia and Malaysiaespecially due to its Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneothe regions key swing states. The United States sent a carrier battle group there as well. Russia-Ukraine War Compels Japan to Reassess China Challenge, Shift First, the United States should feel more confident to pressure the junta on human rights concerns. In the near term, this could lead to sales of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment as well as patrol boats to allow Hanoi to better keep an eye on goings-on in the western South China Sea. Any such assertion must rest on an understanding that critical U.S. national interests, including both economic and security interests, are at stake and at risk. Seventh Fleet patrolled the regions seaways, including the South China Sea, unchallenged including agreed access to ports throughout much of the region. US still mired in a 'Cold War' mindset, but the tide's turning, The West is misreading Chinas Party Congress at the peril of world stability, Can Foreign Investors still have Good Reasons to be Optimistic about China? South China Sea has geo-strategic, geo-politic and geo-economic importance due to half of the world trade passage and presence of precious resources of oil and gas. A South China Sea Strategy | American Enterprise Institute - AEI The South China Sea is a core interest of both Vietnam and China. The power politics, military interests created the South China Sea more important. through South China Sea Port is 1400 kms long. Chinas rising military power and political influence is generating anxiety and suspicion among some of its neighbours and western powers. This new strategic map of Southeast Asia actually began to take shape during the Bush administration, whichinitially launchedthe effort to move beyond Americas traditional hub-and-spokes alliance model in the Asia-Pacific. The United States has an interest in seeing that these partners maintain their strategic autonomy, but capacity building efforts to help them resist coercion are not keeping pace with Chinas growing capabilities. A critical and early Chinese test of U.S. resolve is likely to come in the South China Sea, where Washington has struggled to respond effectively to assertive Chinese behavior. U.S. access to the military facilities on the South China Seas southern flank, however, would shift the regions balance of power in Americas favor. Rival countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has steadily increased in recent years. Marcos Jr. had previously said his country would pursue oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea even without a deal with China, which claims almost all of the 1.3 million square mile South . Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. The increasing activity of Beijing in the South China Sea, Consequences of US-China rivalry in Indo-Pacific and beyond, Balancing the giants: Australia between China and US. In sum, the United States has built and maintained a dense network of security links and obligations throughout East and Southeast Asia all sustained by regular contact with the Seventh Fleet as it transits the region via the South China Sea. With the National League for Democracy now in power in Naypyidaw, China cannot rely on Burma as an automatic ally. There were, however, cautionary signs for those prepared to see them. Therefore, the SCS has geopolitical and geostrategic importance for the energy and economic security of China and East Asian countries; but also for the USA as $1.2 trillion of its trade moves through the waters. As maritime security such as safety and freedom of . The U.S. The main route to and from Pacific and Indian ocean ports is through the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. The two countries elevated bilateral ties to an extensive strategic partnership in 2013 and Japan is in the midst of donating to Vietnam six patrol vessels (for use by the coast guard and fisheries ministry). This geo strategic significance is the main reason behind the fact that China and other territorial stakeholders are contesting to gain control of these maritime lane. In October 2020, Hong Kong's air traffic control denied a Taiwanese flight access to Pratas Island, a Taiwan-occupied feature in the South China Sea. Why does China care so much about the South China Sea? Here are 5 In order to understand the contention of the South China Sea and its significance, it is firstly imperative to understand the geopolitical importance of Asia, which has given rise to Chinese pre-eminence; enabling its rise to contemporary major political power on the global stage. China has constructed more than 3,000 acres of artificial islands, and although this is not illegal, it is an intimidating display of wealth and power. The Obama administration has made modest gains in this regard, but it will be up for to the next president to seize that opportunity and ensure that Southeast Asias future is prosperous, peaceful and free. America has formal defense/security alliances with five Asian countries: Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia. Leung, The Consequences of Conquest: Why Indo-Pacific Power Hinges on Taiwan, United States vs China: from Partnership to Antagonism - Interview with Alfredo Toro Hardy, How the Ukraine War changes Global Geopolitics, What The Economist omits to address in President Xi's vision of a global security order, Armenia: Trapped in Between Interview with Gayane Novikova, How Chinas COVID Policy Reversal Impacts Globally: an interview with Neeraj Singh Manha, Marcos-Xi Durian Diplomacy Climbs to Higher Gear, Is the EU Really Willing to Enlarge in the Western Balkans? The United States can stand firm on its principles and deter China from undermining the regional order while maintaining a productive relationship. 5 min. What is the strategic importance of the South China Sea. More and more, we see a particularly aggressive maritime stance from China towards NATO warships when exercising freedom of navigation through the SCS. The United States and its Pacific allies should consider whether it is feasible and sensible to coordinate the activities of USAID, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The strategic signal of an Indian presence in the South China Sea The geopolitical and strategic landscape of South China Sea We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is one in which China dominates the South China Sea from the north; the United States and its partners dominate the eastern and western edges of the sea; and the bulk of continental Southeast Asian states (Thailand, Cambodia and Laos) are either neutral or aligned more closely with China. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. With a maturing coast guard, navy and air force, Vietnam will become an increasingly prickly foe. More importantly, it also covers the most crucial energy routes for East Asian countries to transport oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the South China Sea dispute and to analyze why the dispute has yet to escalate, as well as the strategic importance of the South China Sea dispute to international trade. The security assurances provided by the U.S. military presence coupled with the advent of regional institutions, notably ASEAN and the Asian Development Bank, nurtured that growth. It was the first time that had ever occurred. However, there were a number of reasons to conclude that the line was no cartographic anomaly; it was an official indication of Beijings contention that the sovereign territory of China included the South China Sea. Should they be neutral, China may lord over the southern reaches of the South China Sea from military bases on its newly created and expanded islands in the Spratlys. Allied efforts to support U.S. force posture in the region will remain vital, but the United States should also expect allies to make greater contributions in responding to Chinese coercion. Vietnam's strategic interests in the South China Sea: Challenges and Its strategic economic importance and its geographic location at the confluence of several spheres of influence have rendered it one of the "world's hotspots". U.S. military advantage is of limited utility in this area and Washington has struggled to convince local partners to join in freedom of navigation operations. China, Asia, and the Changing Strategic Importance of the Gulf and MENA The largest and most powerful of these . Unfortunately, some countries fail to comply with the existing international law. Burma, however, is a potential bright spot for the U.S. position in continental Southeast Asia. The Art of War helps expose the motivation behind past, current, and future Chinese actions. 1. Countries across the region prioritized economic growth and modernization. The South China Sea in Strategic Terms | Wilson Center Brunei, ASEAN and the South China Sea | Lowy Institute South China Sea: What's China's plan for its 'Great Wall of Sand'? It has deep ties with the military, which still dominates key parts of the government, and is a major player in the economy. The United States emerged from World War II as a resident great power in East Asia. Most of China's contested land borders were remote areas with few people, natural resources or clear military utility. These actions suggest that China might undermine freedom of navigation and overflight, principles of fundamental importance to the United States. Sign up to receive ShareAmerica updates. NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan urged China and the US to de-escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South . Besides, more than half of the world's fishing vessels pass through the SCS. In each of these arenas, a successful Chinese effort to seize control of the South China Sea will have a profound impact and each is worth elaboration. China has shown the most considerable increase in projection of power from all the states surrounding the SCS. As the new administration sets out to revamp U.S. strategy in the South China Sea, it should keep the following guidelines in mind: Although Chinese cooperation is necessary to address some regional and global issuessuch as North Koreas belligerent behavior and climate changethe United States should not be held hostage by concerns that a more robust deterrence strategy will thwart bilateral cooperation. When it comes to trade, investment and infrastructure development, China should not be the only game in town. Why is the South China Sea contentious? - BBC News 2009 China issues two diplomatic notes that appear to claim a majority of the South China Sea. When China moved a massive oilrig, theHaiyang Shiyou 981, into Vietnams exclusive economic zone in 2014, Vietnam had limited options to respond, at either the low end or the high. The islands are important, however, for strategic and political reasons. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. . These same sea-lanes are a vital military artery as the U.S. The United States has formally objected to Chinas South China Sea maritime claims. Cobra Gold, hosted by Thailand and led by the United States, is the largest annual multilateral military exercise in Asia. Anti-China alliance coalescing in South China Sea - Asia Times Chinas significant increase in spending and capability of its maritime forces is of note. The United States can do more to leverage its alliances in Asia to raise the costs of Chinese efforts to undermine the regional order. In . China has tried to effectively annex the whole South China Sea region as its territorial waters, according to Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). Abstract. China sought access to natural resources, to political influence and to a strategic maritime position in the Bay of Bengal. Report Thats why the United States has urged countries to resolve maritime claim disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. Washington (United States of America), February 27 (ANI): A Chinese J-11 fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles intercepted the US Navy reconnaissance jet over the South China Sea, the Wall Street Journal reported. U.S. leaders should not be afraid of tension in the U.S.-China relationship. Networking Social Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia: Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) program, The High Price of Neglecting Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy, Environmental Change and Security Program, North Korea International Documentation Project, Nuclear Proliferation International History Project, Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, The Middle East and North Africa Workforce Development Initiative, Science and Technology Innovation Program, Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In particular, Chinas growing assertiveness over sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea could be assessed as a serious challenge to the status quo in the region. The Strategic Importance of the South China Sea The U.S.-Thai relationship has suffered since the 2006 coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra and especially since the latest coup, which saw the military take control in 2014 and stubbornly cling to power. Nevertheless, for America, this new world will be profoundly discomfiting and even alien. The "Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand" (SCS SAP Project) completed its Inception Phase with the 1st Steering Committee Meeting held online on the 29 and 30 of June, 2021 with official representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam and the UNEP Task Manager for the project, with the support of . The South China Sea has become important to the US because of China's challenge to the liberal rules-based order that America has promoted since the Pacific war. The Strategic Importance of the South China Sea - academia.edu