Indias World US-China face-off in South China Sea

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INSIGHTS

6/11/2015

Indias World US-China face-off in South China Sea

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Summary:
China has warned US that its dangerous and provocative actions in the South China Sea could lead to minor
incidents that spark war. The warning came after US guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an
artificial island created and claimed by China. This island is situated in the South China Sea. The South China Sea
is a strategic waterway through which about a third of the entire worlds traded oil passes. China insists that it has
sovereign rights over the entire South China Sea while its neighbors dispute this claim. Meanwhile the China is also
upset that an international tribunal ruled last week that it had the power to hear the case brought before it by the
Philippines over its territorial draw with China in the south China Sea. However, China has refused to take part in the
proceedings.
In terms of international law, artificial islands created by China are not recognized. According to the law only those
islands which are, at high tide, above water can be considered proper islands. But, the islands, on which China
claims sovereignty, are submerged at high tide. In terms of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, there is a
provision regarding the extension of the EEZ from the coastal region or from the Islands. But, China has been using
this provision in a flexible manner. In the Yellow Sea it claims EEZ from the coastline. In the South China Sea, it
uses Island as the basis for measuring the EEZ.

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China claims most of the South China Sea, one of the worlds busiest sea lanes, although Vietnam, Malaysia,
Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims. Beijing says the islands will have mainly civilian uses as well as
undefined defence purposes. Although China asserts its historical rights in most of the South China Sea, its
reclamation project at seven locations can only be seen by other countries as a blatant case of expansionism.
It is to be noted that the US has not ratified the UN law on sea. Thus, some international experts are of the opinion
that the US is trying to suppress China from becoming a superpower. The US president has also planned to visit
Malaysia and Philippines shortly. Thus, the ultimate strategy of the US is to rally the region behind its leadership and
then negotiate with China. The US is also apprehensive of Chinas growing military power.
The South China Sea is a vital waterway for the worlds trading vessels. Free and safe navigation in these waters is
of common interest not only to the United States, China and countries of Southeast Asia, but also to all countries,
including Japan.
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