preview

China's Expansion Into The South China Sea Case Study

Decent Essays

Around the year 2015 China has started building artificial islands on disputed territory in the South China Sea for the purpose of resource mining, installment of surveillance and defensive infrastructures. Countries in the South China Sea that lay economic and territorial claims such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan have expressed security concerns regarding China’s aggressive expansion unto territories such as the Spratyl Islands and Rubi Reef as China had increased security and surveillance in this territory may lead to conflict in trade, fishing, and other activities in the South China Sea. China’s expansion into the South China Sea is an issue to U.S. Foreign policy as claiming of the territories is goes against international …show more content…

Thus, the area holds significant economic importance for Asia and the Pacific which is at risk with mounting tensions and aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea. “Additionally, in regards to the legitimacy of the conflict, The Permanent Court of Arbitration, which serves as a arbitral tribunal to solve disputes in the international community in accordance with the UN and international law, ruled China’s “nine-dash line” claims in the South China Sea, its occupation of Mischief Reef, its denial of access to Scarborough Shoal, its island building in the Spratly’s, and its harassment of others in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as illegitimate actions.” (Vuyling) Thus, the legality of China’s expansion and claims to the territory furthers the problem to entail U.S to intervene as under the U.S. Freedom of the Seas Program such actions goes against international law and disrupt free naval activities in the area. One of the main reasons why the South China Sea is a highly contested area with many of the surrounding nations laying economic or territorial claim is due to the area being rich in resources “The Spratly’s, which consist of more than one-hundred small islands or reefs, are about 600 miles from the Chinese coast, and the CIA World Factbook says they are surrounded by rich fishing grounds -- and potentially by gas and oil deposits.” (Sterling) According to

Get Access