China and the Philippines Clash Repeatedly Over Second Thomas Shoal
Other Asian countries are also in a move to seek reinforcement of their naval competence for instance South Korea and Japan. The fact that the South China Sea is a resource is the main source of conflict as all the countries want to gain the sovereignty of the area to enjoy the benefits.
Introduction-This is a proposition for a durable legal order to underpin a collective regional maritime security cooperation system for the seas of the Central Indo-Pacific, taking into account the South China Sea disputes situation. Specifically, this is about the prompt implementation of UNCLOS Part IX on enclosed and semi-enclosed seas as the legal and scientific framework for regional ocean governance in the Central Indo-Pacific addressing non-traditional maritime security concerns. It is further herewith proposed for the ASEAN to take up a leadership and ownership role in this overall regional collective and cooperative undertaking inasmuch as the seas of ASEAN are the predominating sea area with central impacts on maritime connectivity for AEC 2015. Moreover, the contentious regional maritime disputes situation is centered on the South China Sea, specifically the Spratlys archipelago, which is the ASEAN front yard with China. U.S. President Barack Obama, on the last leg of a four-nation Asia tour, signs a new ten-year with the Philippines. Under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, the U.S. military would gain increased rotational troop presence in the country, engage in more joint training, and have greater access to bases across the archipelago, including ports and airfields. The deal is the centerpiece of Obama’s first visit to the Philippines, the United States’ oldest ally in the region, and underscores the administration’s commitment to the Asia “pivot.” While Obama expresses solidarity with Manila as it seeks international arbitration over the disputed South China Sea islands, he insists that the deal is not aimed at There have been many territorial claims, made by many countries, over the South China Sea. This is the major source of disputes leading to the conflict issue. The leading countries in claiming of the territorial authority are the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). These two claim that almost the entire sea is theirs. This is so serious to an extent of demarking their claims within nine-dotted line. Other notable claims include the claims; over Scarborough Shoal by China, Taiwan and Philippines, over the waters of the Natuna Islands by the Taiwan, Indonesia and China, over waters located west of Spratly Islands by Vietnam, Taiwan and China, over the Camago and Malampaya gas fields by the Philippines, Taiwan and China. The Paracel Islands are also disputed between Vietnam and People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China. In addition to this, most of the islands around the South China Sea are also disputed between countries such as Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan, China and Malaysia. Japan has also committed to boosting the Philippines’s defense capability through exports of Japanese-made radar systems. During the Kishida-Marcos meeting in November, worth approximately $4 million. Additionally, in December 2023,, the first of four radar systems Japan agreed to provide as part of a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement signed with the Philippines in 2020. According to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, the radar system can and will help counter China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
Oil and Gas in the South China Sea – Comparison with Other Regions)
There have been many disputes regarding islands in the South China Sea. Most of the islands are associated with no indigenous people since a great percentage of them are usually naturally under water. There are those which are even permanently submerged in water. Some of the islands include; the Spratlys islands, the Prates islands, and island located on the Paracels.
Chinese Military Activity Escalates in the South China Sea
Global naval strategy is also another aspect that heightens the conflict among the Southeast Asian nations and China. Currently, China is very vigilant in seeking naval predominance in the South China Sea in an attempt to be a global naval power. This effort ought to include some projection into the Indian Ocean, an area that is deemed to be extremely essential in regard to power and competition.
Afghanistan supports China’s stance in the South China Sea Dispute.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo since both leaders came to power on the sidelines of the 2014 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing. Days earlier, China and Japan reach a designed to improve diplomatic and security ties. The agreement also aims to put in place crisis-management mechanisms to prevent conflict escalation over disputed territory in the East China Sea.
Other Military Activity in the South China Sea
This brings about complexity in the disputes since a lot of efforts are required to resolve them taking into account interests and concerns of all the parties involved, a task that is not easy. In the early 20th century, the Republic of China claimed about 132 islands in the South China Sea.
Three of the most relevant to the South China Sea are:
In the authors' opinions, some provisions and definitions of UNCLOS have serious gaps that lead to various interpretations and misunderstandings by countries. Due to provisional gaps, all parties of the South China Sea Disputes have their own opinions on the UNCLOS interpretations and are confident that they follow International Law. The authors propose that certain provisions of UNCLOS need revised in order to resolve actual disputes and prevent further debates. These provisions include, but are not limited to, the current distinction between an island and a rock; and the strait baseline concept that permits to delineate big sea areas far from the coast.