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.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background to the Study
The South China Sea: Historical and Geographical Audit
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Research Questions
1.4. Objectives of the Study
1.5. Research Propositions
1.6. Significance of the Study
1.7. Scope and Limitations of the Study
1.8. Research Methodology
Sources of Data Collection
Research Design
Data Collection
Data Analysis
2. LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1. The Concept of Global Power
2.2. Is China a Global Power?
2.3. 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
2.4. Theoretical Framework
Structural Realism
3. SOUTH CHINA SEA: CLAIMS, SIGNIFICANCE, INCIDENTS AND UNCLOS
3.1. Disputants and their Claims
Philippines
Taiwan
Brunei
Malaysia
Vietnam
China
Marine Resources
Legitimacy Consolidation
Energy Resources
Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs)
3.2. Incidents in the South China Sea
3.3. 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
4. THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINA’S CLAIMS AND STRATEGIES AND IMPLICATIONS
4.1. 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
Historic Title
4.2. China’s Strategies in the South China Sea
Soft Strategies
Cooperation Strategy
Delaying Strategy
Calculative Strategy
Salami-slicing Strategy
Hard Strategy
4.3. Reactions to China’s Claims and Strategies by other Claimants
Hard Strategy
Internationalizing the Dispute
4.4. United States and South China Sea
4.5. ASEAN and South China Sea
5. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND REFERENCES
5.1. Conclusion
5.2. Recommendations
Joint Development of Resources
ASEAN and Code of Conduct
U.S Needs to Show Enough Seriousness in Asia
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to examine the causes and implications of China's assertive actions and land reclamation activities in the South China Sea, analyzing them through the lens of structural and offensive realism to understand their impact on regional stability and the strategic interests of other claimants and the United States.
- China's quest for global power status and regional dominance.
- The strategic, economic, and political significance of the South China Sea.
- The legal validity of China's "nine-dash line" historical claims under international law (UNCLOS).
- China's military modernization and multi-faceted strategy (soft and hard) to consolidate its claims.
- The role and effectiveness of ASEAN and the United States in balancing and managing the dispute.
Excerpt from the Book
The Nine-Dash (U-shaped) Lines
Since China fails to clarify the meaning and limits of its claimed nine-dash lines, various scholars have sought ways to interpret such claims by inferring and importing Chinese-made legislations to uncover the true intent and meaning of such lines (Franckx and Benatar, 2011). As expected, notable Chinese scholars and experts have given their backing to the nine-dash lines in their various interpretations of the dash lines. For instance, Huang Wei argues that “… although the U-shaped line has only been officially marked in maps for 60 years, for culture and civilization the line encompasses shows accumulation and result of thousands of years of production (i.e. work) and daily life practices of the Chinese people” (Wei, 2011:37). Also, Fu asserts that the U-shaped line “confers historical rights over all of the waters it encompasses… the Chinese government played the part of master in the [South China] Sea and encountered no difficulties regarding this state of affairs” (Fu, 1995:41). Meanwhile, China in its Note Verbale sent to the UN Secretary-General in 2009 states that:
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background of the contentious South China Sea dispute, defines the research problem, and establishes the methodology used to analyze China's actions.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: Explores the concept of global power and applies structural realism to analyze why states seek power and territory in an anarchic international system.
3. SOUTH CHINA SEA: CLAIMS, SIGNIFICANCE, INCIDENTS AND UNCLOS: Details the claims of the six disputants, the strategic resources involved, recent incidents, and the relevance of UNCLOS.
4. THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINA’S CLAIMS AND STRATEGIES AND IMPLICATIONS: Analyzes the validity of China's claims, its soft and hard power strategies, and the responses from other claimants and the United States.
5. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND REFERENCES: Summarizes the findings, suggesting that joint development of resources and stronger regional unity are essential to reduce tensions.
Keywords
South China Sea, China, Territorial Disputes, UNCLOS, Global Power, Structural Realism, Maritime Strategy, Nine-Dash Line, Land Reclamation, ASEAN, Geopolitics, Military Modernization, Freedom of Navigation, Sovereignty, Diplomacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research primarily investigates the causes and strategic implications of China’s increasing assertiveness and land reclamation activities within the disputed South China Sea region.
Which theoretical framework does the author apply?
The author uses structural realism, specifically incorporating elements of offensive realism, to explain state behavior and the quest for power in the international system.
What is the core research question?
The work seeks to determine the nature of China’s maritime claims, their validity under international law, and why the South China Sea is considered so critical to China's global ambitions.
What research methodology is employed?
The study utilizes qualitative content analysis, relying on secondary sources such as books, journals, official documents, and expert reports to synthesize the current state of the dispute.
How are China's strategies categorized in the study?
The author categorizes China’s strategies into "soft strategies" (such as cooperation, delaying, and salami-slicing) and "hard strategies" (military modernization and naval capability building).
What is the significance of the "nine-dash line"?
The "nine-dash line" represents China's vast and controversial historical claim to sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, a claim that faces significant legal challenges under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
How does the author evaluate China's historical claims?
The author argues that China's historical claims are weak, noting that mere discovery is insufficient for sovereignty and that other claimants consistently contest these claims.
What role does ASEAN play in the dispute?
The study assesses ASEAN as a forum for conflict management, while highlighting its current internal divisions and limited success in forging a unified voice against China's assertiveness.
What is the "salami-slicing" strategy mentioned?
This refers to China’s approach of executing small, persistent actions that incrementally strengthen its claims without triggering a major military conflict or casus belli.
What is the author's ultimate conclusion regarding the dispute?
The author concludes that because the South China Sea is vital for global trade and energy, and because major powers remain locked in a security dilemma, a long-term peaceful resolution remains unlikely in the near future.
- Citation du texte
- Ebonine Victor (Auteur), 2016, China and the South China Sea. A quest for dominance in global politics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/377737
