Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea – Council on Foreign Relations

Recent Developments

Territorial and jurisdictional disputes in the South China Sea continue to strain relationships between China and other countries in Southeast Asia, risking escalation into a military clash. The United States has sought to uphold freedom of navigation and support other nations in Southeast Asia that have been affected by China’s assertive territorial claims and land reclamation efforts. In the fall of 2015, the United States signaled that it will challenge China’s assertion of sovereignty over disputed territory by flying military aircraft and deploying ships near some of the islands. 

In recent years, satellite imagery has shown China’s increased efforts to reclaim land in the South China Sea by physically increasing the size of islands or creating altogether new islands. In addition to piling sand onto existing reefs, China has constructed ports, military installations, and airstrips—particularly in the Spratly Islands. 

Background

China’s sweeping claims to sovereignty over the sea—and the sea’s alleged 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas—have antagonized competing claimants Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. As early as the 1970s, countries began to claim islands and various zones like as the Spratly islands, which may possess natural resources and rich fishing areas, in the South China Sea as their own.

China maintains that under international law, foreign militaries are not able to conduct intelligence gathering activities, such as reconnaissance flights, in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to the United States, countries should have freedom of navigation through EEZs in the sea and are not required to notify claimants of military activities. China’s claims threaten sea lines of communication, which are important maritime passages that facilitate trade and the movement of naval forces.

In recent years, China has built three airstrips on the Spratly Islands to extend its presence in disputed waters. China has warned its Southeast Asian neighbors against drilling for oil and gas in the contested region, disrupting other nations’ oil exploration and seismic survey activities. To challenge China’s claims in international waters, the United States has deployed destroyer ships on missions in the South China Sea. Currently, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is hearing a claim brought by the Philippines against China, although Beijing refuses to accept the court’s authority.

Concerns

The United States, which maintains important interests in ensuring freedom of navigation and securing sea lines of communication, has expressed support for an agreement on a binding code of conduct and other confidence-building measures. The United States has a role in preventing military escalation resulting from the territorial dispute. However, Washington’s defense treaty with Manila could draw the United States into a China-Philippines conflict over the substantial natural gas deposits in the disputed Reed Bank or the lucrative fishing grounds of the Scarborough Shoal. A dispute between China and Vietnam over territorial claims could also threaten the military and commercial interests of the United States. The failure of Chinese and Southeast Asian leaders to resolve the disputes by diplomatic means could undermine international laws governing maritime disputes and encourage destabilizing arms buildups.

U.S.: China Sent Fighter Jets to Disputed Island

February 24, 2016

U.S. officials said China flew fighter jets (WSJ) to Woody Island, the same contested territory in the South China Sea where Beijing is also suspected to have recently deployed surface-to-air missiles. China’s foreign minister is in Washington this week to discuss maritime tensions.

Top U.S., Chinese Diplomats Meet Amid South China Sea Row

February 23, 2016

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is due to meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on Tuesday, and the meetings will continue until Thursday (Bloomberg). Beijing on Monday defended China’s military deployments in the South China Sea, comparing it to U.S. defense facilities in Hawaii (Reuters).

China Deployed Missiles in South China Sea

February 17, 2016

Beijing has placed surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island, a disputed island in the South China Sea (WSJ).

Taiwanese President Visits South China Sea

January 28, 2016

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou flew to a disputed island (Reuters) in the South China Sea on Thursday, ignoring U.S. criticism of the trip. Taiwan administers the island, which is also claimed by China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.