The study aims at uncovering the immediate and remote causes of china’s land reclamations and assertiveness in the South China Sea. It uncovers that it is not unconnected with the strategic importance of South China Sea, a sea that connects the Western-Pacific and Indian Ocean, routes that account for more than half of the world trade and containing large deposits of marine lives and hydrocarbons.
Privatizing all these resources and the routes will lift China to the height of global power status, a position that will enable it to challenge the supremacy of U.S. hence, its sand filling and structures building agenda in South China Sea. Within the lenses of structural and offensive realism, the study captures the reasons for China’s actions, modernization agenda and even U.S "pivot" to Asia-Pacific as the quest for survival in a world without a government to restrain the actions of the states.
The international system becomes a zero-sum game where the winner takes it all. Also, using the qualitative method of analysis to validate the research questions raised, the study finds out that the historic claims raised by China in its nine-dashed line is not founded in the UNCLOS. With the global security dilemma which continues to play out in the South China Sea, the study predicts that the dispute will not end anytime soon.
Therefore, as part of efforts to reduce tension in the region, there is need for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has seemed impotent to tackle the dispute to forge one voice against China. With the idea of joint development of resources still the best option for the claimants, United States should show more commitment in the region in other to deter an assertive and aggressive China, which has recently shown greater international activism especially since the enthronement of Xi Jiping, the President of Peoples Republic of China.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study.
- The South China Sea: Historical and Geographical Audit.
- Statement of the Problem.
- Research Questions.
- Objectives of the Study.
- Research Propositions.
- Significance of the Study.
- Scope and Limitations of the Study.
- Research Methodology
- Sources of Data Collection
- Research Design
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
- The Concept of Global Power
- Is China a Global Power?
- Territorial Acquisitions and their Strategic Significance to States' Power Boosts.
- The Golan Heights.
- Strategic Significance of Golan Heights to Israel.
- Security through Economic Gain.
- The Sinai Peninsula.
- Strategic Significance of Sinai Peninsula to Israel
- West Bank.
- Gaza Strip.
- Strategic Significance of West Bank and Gaza Strip to Israel.
- Louisiana Purchase
- Strategic Importance of Louisiana to U.S.A
- New Orleans.
- Alaska Purchase.
- The strategic significance of Alaska to U.S.
- Crimea Annexation.
- Strategic Significance of Crimea to Russia.
- Sevastopol and Russia.
- Theoretical Framework.
- Structural Realism
- SOUTH CHINA SEA: CLAIMS, SIGNIFICANCE, INCIDENTS AND UNCLOS.
- Disputants and their Claims.
- Philippines
- Taiwan
- Brunei.
- Malaysia.
- Vietnam.
- China
- Marine Resources
- Legitimacy Consolidation.
- Energy Resources.
- Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs).
- Incidents in the South China Sea
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and SCS
- Internal waters
- Baseline.
- Territorial Sea
- Contiguous zone.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- Continental shelf.
- High Sea.
- Area.
- Maritime Zones Generated by Offshore Features in the South China Sea.
- Disputants and their Claims.
- THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINA'S CLAIMS AND STRATEGIES AND IMPLICATIONS.
- The Validity of China's Claims
- The Nine-Dash (U-shaped) Lines
- The Validity of Maps
- The Validity of China's Historic Claims
- The Validity of China's Historic Waters Claim.
- Exercise of Authority.
- Continuity of Authority.
- Acquiescence
- The Validity of China's Claims
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research work examines the growing tensions in the South China Sea, focusing on China's assertive claims and strategies in the region. The study aims to analyze the historical, geographical, and political contexts surrounding these claims and their impact on global politics.- The rise of China as a global power and its implications for regional and international stability.
- China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and the validity of its arguments based on historical and legal precedents.
- The strategic significance of the South China Sea for regional and global security, including maritime resources, energy reserves, and vital sea lanes.
- The role of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in managing maritime disputes and ensuring peaceful resolution.
- The potential for conflict and the implications of China's actions for regional stability and the global order.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- **Introduction:** This chapter provides an overview of the research topic, outlining the historical and geographical context of the South China Sea. It presents the research problem, questions, objectives, and methodology used in the study.
- **Literature Review and Theoretical Framework:** This chapter explores the concept of global power and examines whether China qualifies as a global power. It also analyzes various territorial acquisitions and their strategic significance for states' power boosts. The chapter concludes by introducing the theoretical framework, Structural Realism, which will guide the analysis.
- **South China Sea: Claims, Significance, Incidents and UNCLOS:** This chapter delves into the South China Sea disputes, identifying the key claimants and their respective claims. It examines the strategic significance of the region, including its marine resources, energy reserves, and sea lanes of communications. The chapter also discusses historical incidents in the South China Sea and the relevance of UNCLOS to the ongoing disputes.
- **The South China Sea: China's Claims and Strategies and Implications:** This chapter focuses on the validity of China's claims, particularly the controversial "nine-dash line." It analyzes the historical and legal basis for China's arguments, including the exercise of authority, continuity of authority, and acquiescence. The chapter also explores the implications of China's claims and strategies for regional and global stability.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research focuses on the strategic implications of China's growing power and its assertive claims in the South China Sea. Key themes include: global power, territorial claims, maritime disputes, UNCLOS, strategic significance, energy resources, sea lanes of communication, regional stability, and international law.- Quote paper
- Ebonine Victor (Author), 2016, China and the South China Sea. A quest for dominance in global politics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/377737
