Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea as a Frozen Conflict
The dispute in the South China Sea involving both island and maritime claims among China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei has been continuing for decades. Also, the conflict has remained unresolved for decades. Because the origin of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea is not only based on historical, economic and political reasons but also on geopolitics struggle being regional and global dimension which has escalated recently. Finally, in July 2016, the decision of the United Nations International Arbitral Tribunal as a result of the Philippines case against China over the sovereign rights issue in the South China Sea and the movements of China toward militarization of the South China Sea in recent years have caused the tension in the South China Sea to increase again.
The claims of the parties
Taiwan
The fundamental claim of Taiwan over South China Sea stands on “the map of South China Sea” prepared in 1947 which illustrates all the archipelagos in South China Sea as belonging to Taiwan. From time to time Taiwan emphasizes the claim in the South China Sea. China which is the biggest actor in the South China Sea conflict does not react harshly to what Taiwan has done on the South China Sea so far, it remains silent. This is because China sees Taiwan as part of its territory.
China
China’s reference to the history of the sovereignty of the South China Sea is based on the 1947 map made especially by Taiwan. Considering even Taiwan as its region, China claims sovereignty in almost all of the South China Sea. However, the 1947 map was changed by the Beijing administration in 1953 and named as the U-shaped “Nine-Striped Map” (nine-dash line).
In addition, China continues its military activities in the South China Sea where it claims rights.
Vietnam
It can be said that the claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea of Vietnam started in the 1950s. Firstly, in 1956, the Vietnamese army took control of 2 islands from the Paracel archipelago. The following years after this event, Vietnam have claimed on the other islands and even the chain of events reached to war with China in 1974. After the war, claims of sovereignty of Vietnam continued in the South China Sea.
Philippines
The Philippines first claimed the sovereignty over the Spratly archipelago in 1950. In 1956, the Philippines stated that they took control of 33 islands from the Philippines Spratly archipelago and grouped 9 islands from them and called them Kalayan islands.
Finally, in order to reject China’s right to sovereignty in Spratly Islands, the Philippines government filed an arbitration action against China on January 22, 2013 to the United UN International Permanent Arbitration Court.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the countries that claim sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. On May 15, 1980, Malaysia declared the sea area of up to 200 miles from the coast as its exclusive economic zone. This declared area includes 11 islands in the South China Sea. After that, the Malaysian administration took control of 1 island from Spratly Islands in 1983, 3 islands in 1986 and 2 other islands in 1999.
Brunei
Brunei, who gained sovereignty from the UK in 1984, claims sovereignty in several islands in the South China Sea and its territorial waters. The Louisa reef, one of the Spratly Islands today, is under the control of Brunei. But China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim rights in the Louisa reef.
Why is it important?
1.Rich oil and natural gas resources
The sea is also believed to contain major reserves of natural resources, such as natural gas and oil. The US Energy Information Administration estimates the area contains at least 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
2. Transportation
One third of global shipping, or a total of US$3.37 trillion of international trade, passes through the South China Sea. About 80 per cent of China’s oil imports arrive via the Strait of Malacca, in Indonesia, and then sail across the South China Sea to reach China.
3. Fishery
From an economic point of view, it can be said that fishing also causes controversy in the South China Sea. Because the constant harassment of fishermen of China and other Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea also causes the tensions between these countries to become tension.
Is there an expected solution?
Generally, although Southeast Asian nations have traditionally rejected looking for a bilateral solution with China, some Southeast Asian states like Vietnam and Philippines have agreed to solve the dispute with China through bilateral talks.
But I believe that the expected solution will be the result of bilateral and multiple negotiations with the mediation of regional organizations such as ASEAN.
