The South China Sea, which spans about 3.5 million square kilometers, is one of the most disputed regions in the globe. Considering its strategic location, abundance of resources, and complicated boundaries, it is an important area in international relations. The developments that take place in the South China Sea depend not only on the countries that surround it but also on the entire world.

The South China Sea is referred to as the ‘the lifeblood of world economy’, with approximately 30% of the world’s sea freight volumes passing through it which surpasses $3 trillion. Furthermore, its total oil and gas resources are estimated to be about 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas which lies at great depths. Because of this, it is not just an important commercial route but also a resource-rich zone that is very relevant to political significance as well.

The South China Sea carries 30% of global sea freight, worth over $3 trillion annually, making it vital for trade and resources.

However, the region’s importance is not only resource-related. The South China Sea anchors the two most important Oceans, the Pacific and Indian, and its major region in regards to maritime relations and military strategies. Gaining economic returns is but one strategy in this arena; so is preventing any challenge to a crucial CAS element in an interconnected global marketplace and exercising power in the broader Indo-Pacific.

The South China Sea has had an ongoing dispute thanks to overlapped territorial claims from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The claim of China is considered the most all-encompassing one as it relies on the controversial nine-dash line which encompasses most of the South China Sea. This claim thoroughly accentuates the negative relations with the exclusive economic zones of Southeast Asian nations.

A ruling of 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration is worth mentioning as they sided with the Philippines and decided that the claims presented by China were unfounded as there was no legal backing for them under international law. However, in spite of this China has asserted its dominance by creating manmade islands and placing military equipment on them which has resulted in tension between China and other nations in the region.

The notable claimants to this dispute include among others:

• Vietnam also disputes the control over The Paracel and Spratly Islands held by China.
• The Philippines, which borders China and from the start have regularly encountered disputes in regards to fishing practices and the EEZ of the Philippines.
• Malaysia and Brunei, whose focus of attention is specific features of claims within their territorial seas.

US does not lay claim to any part of the South China Sea but it has emerged as a key player in the region. The U. S. Navy undertakes Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) as a means of contesting China’s assertions and professes the need for an open and rule-oriented maritime order. Other states such as Japan, India, and the EU have expressed support for the principle of international law, including the Law of the Sea.

China’s territorial claims, based on the controversial nine-dash line, challenge international rulings and Southeast Asian nations’ exclusive economic zones.

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in China’s military footprint in the South China Sea. The building of man-made islands that house air bases, missile deployment, and radar facilities has aggravated the region significantly. As a result, nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines have augmented their naval forces while other nations, including the US, have increased their military presence in the area.

The interests here not only involve territorial control but include the dominant political posture within the Indo-Pacific region. The South China Sea has turned out to be a flashpoint where superpowers are showcasing their prowess, and therefore it is going to be an important region to focus on in the years to come.

It seems that while the geopolitical and economic aspects around the South China Sea appear to be the centerpiece of the discussions regarding South China Sea disputes, the environmental dimension of those disputes appears to be equally disquieting. The extreme depletion, the construction of island outposts, as well as the pollution, are affecting the region’s marine ecosystems greatly. The littoral communities’ dependency on coral reefs that provide economic resources and greatly contribute to the region’s biological diversity has been grossly undermined through dredging and other activities.

The environmental degradation is also affecting indigenous coastal communities who rely on the sea for their livelihoods. As tensions increase, these communities and their resources are being drawn into what is an elongated geopolitical tussle over the future of their home region respectively.

Rapid militarization, including China’s man-made islands, has escalated tensions, drawing in superpowers like the U.S. through Freedom of Navigation Operations.

The analogies take as much smoke and dust into inter sociocultural existence of geopolitics as it has ever been eroding and mix used endlessly on the frontline malignant forceful inclined focusing on such detailing. Political alliances and treaties like the ASEAN or UNCLOS on the other hand offer possible channels for talks… but only if everyone is ready to give up a part of their advantage and focus more on their collective might out of human desire and logic.

Considering that this part of the world is becoming increasingly important in global affairs, the South China Sea has the potential to alter the geopolitical realities of the Indo-Pacific and also the world order. Will it be the site of conflict or the allegory of peace? The residents of this area are making the choices that will determine the milieu of the South China Sea and will also define global order for times to come.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.