Many marine boundaries continue to be disputed, especially where there are known to be
resources of energy, minerals or fish stocks.
Tensions are likely to increase as populations continue to grow and become more affluent,
increasing necessity for resources as current reserves are exploited and diminishing.
Current geopolitics means superpowers such as USA and China seek to maintain and exert
their maritime power.
The South China Sea
China’s coastline extends 14,500km; 10th longest.
Emerging superpower; developing commercial interests in trade across Indian Ocean
including Persian Gulf and Suez Canal.
USA strategic interests worth $1.2 trillion + long-standing allies S.Korea / Taiwan to
safeguard.
Blue water navy = one that is able to operate away from its home bases.
Green water navy = patrols maritime borders
Island chain disputes:
Paracels and the Spratlys claimed by countries including China, Philippines and Vietnam for
reserves of oil + gas and trade routes.
UNCLOS classification (200 nautical miles) favours Philippines claims who have 9
permanently occupied outposts of civilian presence which makes military confrontation
more difficult and less appealing to China.
Chinese island construction:
Built on rocky outcrops, coral atolls and reefs claimed in ‘nine-dash line’ (based on historical
factors which Vietnam disputes).
Rock and sand dredged and pumped to from new islands to show geopolitical dominance.
E.g. Mischief Reef and one including an air base with concrete runways long enough for
fighter jets.
Recent incidents:
1974 – 1988
• Armed clashes between China + Vietnam over Paracels and Spratlys killed 130
Vietnamese military personnel
2012
• China + Philippines accuse incursion in Scarborough Shoal
• China formally crates Sansha City in Paracels to administer Chines territory; Vietnam
and Philippines protest
2013
• Philippines challenges legality of China under UNCLOS
2014
• Chinese drilling rig near to Paracels. Multiple collisions between Chinese and
Vietnamese vessels
2015
• US satellite shows Chinese infrastructure on some of Spratly Islands