The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area of approximately 3,500,000 square kilometers. It stretches from the Singapore and Malacca Strait to the Strait of Taiwan in the north, with the Sunda Shelf to the south and the Philippine Sea to the east.
Geography and Environment
- It is surrounded by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
- The sea contains numerous islands, atolls, and reefs, including the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands, which are focal points for territorial disputes.
- It is a critical global shipping lane, with about one-third of the world's shipping traffic passing through its waters.
History
- The region has a long history of maritime activity, with ancient trade routes connecting the Middle East and Europe to East Asia.
- During the 19th and 20th centuries, colonial powers like Spain, France, and Britain claimed parts of the islands and waters.
- Post-World War II, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) set out rules for maritime boundaries, but this did not resolve all territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Strategic Importance
- The sea is believed to have significant oil and natural gas deposits, making it economically important for energy resources.
- Its waters are rich in fish stocks, supporting the livelihoods of millions through fishing.
- It serves as a key route for trade between East Asia and the rest of the world, impacting global trade dynamics.
Disputes and Conflicts
- Multiple countries claim sovereignty over various islands and their surrounding waters, leading to overlapping claims and international tension.
- China's "nine-dash line" encompasses a significant portion of the sea, which has been a major point of contention with neighboring countries and has been ruled to have no legal basis by an international tribunal in 2016.
- Military activities, including island-building and militarization by various nations, have escalated tensions in the region.
Legal and Diplomatic Efforts
- UNCLOS has been invoked by several countries to assert their rights, but it has also highlighted the complexities of maritime law in disputed areas.
- There have been attempts at diplomatic solutions, like the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002, though progress has been slow.
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