South China Sea the future power struggle between US and China

 

DISPUTED WATERS OF SOUTH CHINA SEA

Yellow lines is the South China sea routes of china to the world .

3.37 trillion dollars of trade have passed through region of

South China Sea in 2016 according to CSIS.

 

The South China Sea is essential maritime crossroads for trade. Over 60% of the china maritime trade goes by South China Sea in 2016. The US has just 14% of its trade using South China Sea.

 

The region is rich in many resources. It has 11 Billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.  Apart of this many islands have rich in fishing.

 

Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have claims of parts of the sea but china claims its historical nine dish theory to claim all of south china sea. The UN convention of the law of the seas states of each country having “Exclusive Economic Zones”. Each country EEZ is 200 nautical miles from it’s Coastline.

 

In July 2016, the permanent court of Arbitration at the Hague issued its ruling on claim against china. But refuses to accept court decision.

China is building its military presence in the region. 40 percent of the global liquefied natural gas is pass through the South China Sea. It means this is very important for the future survival of the Chinese people and the importance region holds is of greater value.

China  Islands

Artifical islands in the south china seas 

 In recent years china is looking to reclaim land in South China Sea and is building artificial islands. China has constructed ports, military installation and airstrips. China has militarized woody islands by deploying military jets, cruise missiles and radar system.

Artificial island made by china

 To counter China claims and Abide him to EEZ , US has helping all other claimants countries of south china seas. The Biden Administration has approved its first arms deal with Taiwan. 750 million dollars deal is expected due to growing concern of Chinese aggression.

 China relation with Philippines

philippine and vietnam protesting against china

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte announce that he will continue 22 year old pack with US due to Beijing to delivering sustain friendship.

 China current relation with Brunei

Brunei a few days earlier has carried out its 24^th annual cooperation Afloat Readiness with US Navy. Which is very clear message to Chinese authorities.

Indonesia neutral ground 

Indonesia is up till now have the neutral policy with both the powers. Indonesia neither to shoulder the burden of managing the regional order in a proactive way nor to support big power struggle. It is very challenging situation for the Indonesian policy makers.

 US Deter actions

US slogan of freedom of navigation is challenged by china in South China Sea. US has deployed its nuclear power submarine to the region. It is to deter chines aggression. But it is very clear to the world that Chinese claimed areas should be protected at any cost. Chinese as a nation is very clear about achieving objectives. The world have witnessed clash with India and India as partner of US have not prepared by US to fight with china.