Security Complex in South China Sea
By: David Raja MArpaung S.IP M.Def
The main problem in South China Sea is competing territorial claims over SCS and its resources are numerous, with claims for various areas by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides for claims to areas of the ocean to be made using a 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and/ or the continental shelf principle[1].
South China Sea Claim
The Actors in South China Sea are:
A. Brunei – Brunei’s claim to the South China Sea is limited to its EEZ, which extends to one of the southern reefs of the Spratly Islands.
B. Cambodia – Cambodia claims portions of the Gulf of Thailand based upon its EEZ and the continental shelf principle, as well as its history in the Gulf. In 1982, Cambodia signed The Agreement on Historic Waters with Vietnam, setting the stage for later cooperation between the two countries.
C. China – China claims almost all of the South China Sea. In 1974, China seized the Paracel Islands from Vietnam and continues to maintain sovereignty over the islands. Additionally, China claims the Pratas Islands. China’s claims to the South China Sea are based on the EEZ and continental shelf principle as well as historical records of the Han (110 AD) and Ming (1403-1433 AD) Dynasties.
D. Indonesia – Indonesia’s claim to the South China Sea is limited to the boundaries of the EEZ and continental shelf. Indonesia claims neither the Spratly nor the Paracel Islands.
E. Malaysia – Malaysia’s claim to the South China Sea is limited to the boundaries of the EEZ and continental shelf. Malaysia claims three islands of the Spratlys. Malaysia makes no claim to the Paracel Islands. Malaysia also claims portions of the Gulf of Thailand, based upon its EEZ and the continental shelf principle. Malaysia signed a cooperative agreement for exploration and development with Thailand in 1979. In 1992, Malaysia and Vietnam signed a Joint Development Areas agreement.
F. Philippines – Philippines occupy eight of the Spratly Islands. The Philippines do not claim the Paracel Islands. Filipino claims are based upon the EEZ and continental shelf principle, as well as a 1956 Filipino explorer’s expedition.
G. Taiwan –Taiwan claims all of the Spratly Islands(Nansha Islands in Chinese) and has announced its intention to build an airstrip on Taiping. Taiwan claims all of the Paracel Islands. Additionally, Taiwan occupies the Pratas Islands. Taiwan’s claims are based on principles similar to those of China.
H. Thailand – Thailand claims the Gulf of Thailand based upon its EEZ and the continental shelf principle. Thailand signed a cooperative agreement for exploration and development with Malaysia in 1979. In 1997, Thailand and Vietnam signed an agreement setting the delimitation of their respective sea boundaries.
I. Vietnam – Vietnam claims based upon its EEZ and the continental shelf principle. Vietnam claims all of the Spratly Islands , and has occupied twenty of them. Vietnam claims all of the Paracel Islands despite being forcibly ejected by China in 1974. Vietnam also claims the Gulf of Thailand based upon its EEZ and the continental shelf principle. In 1982, Vietnam signed The Agreement on Historic Waters with
Cambodia. In 1992, Vietnam and Malaysia signed a Joint Development Areas agreement. In 1997, Vietnam and Thailand signed an agreement setting the delimitation of their respective sea boundaries.
Beside agreement, treaty, and other cooperation, there are a lot of military conflicts that already happen in South China Sea[2].
After 2000
The Influence of South China Sea Conflict to Regional Security
The influence of SCS Conflict can be analyze with Bary Buzan Dimension of Analysis
Economic | -Competition to exploit natural resources , especially oil and gas -Fishing Area Issue -Threat to tourist industry - Economic cooperation threat between China-ASEAN - Threat to important shipping lanes with 15% of world’s trade passing through these sea lanes |
Societal | -Protection to civilian and Human Rights Issues - Nationalistic sentiments in the different nations demand those the countries should not lose more territory - Piracy and drug trafficking route -Ethnic Discrimination - Competing population among countries that involve in SCS |
Environmental | - Potential disruption of transportation, more than 41.000 ships pas through SCS every year - Environmental degradation because exploitation of natural resources |
Political | -Territorial Border conflict related with UNCLOS and EEZ -Competing Sovereignty claims - Human Security of Fisherman -The involve of third party, such as USA and Japan not in neutral position -Competing historical demand between China, Taiwan and Vietnam -Legal claims to the region and problems of balance of power -‘cold war’ between actors |
Military | -Multi nations military conflict -Naval Incidents -Potential violent conflict -Potential Multi nations war |
[1] Allan Collins. Security and Southeast Asia, (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2003) p. 189
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