Context:
Maritime East Asia, including the East and South China Seas, has emerged as a critical zone of intensified geopolitical tensions. The region involves several nations disputing territorial claims, notably China’s assertive stance on the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, controlled by Japan, and expansive claims in the South China Sea, impacting Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These disputes pose significant challenges to regional stability and international maritime norms.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- Importance of the Seas to China
- Significance of the Seas
- China’s Actions in the Region
- Rising Tensions with the Philippines
- Regional Responses to China’s Maritime Assertiveness
Importance of the Seas to China
- Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity:
- China views the East and South China Seas as vital to its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.
- The 2019 Chinese Defence White Paper asserts that the South China Sea islands and Diaoyu Islands are integral parts of Chinese territory.
- National Security:
- China uses its sovereign right to develop infrastructure and deploy defense mechanisms on the islands and reefs of the South China Sea.
- It also conducts patrols in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, defending what it perceives as its rightful territory.
- Neighboring countries, however, see these actions as offensive and provocative.
Significance of the Seas
- Maritime Trade:
- Major maritime trade routes in East Asia pass through the East and South China Seas.
- The Taiwan Strait is a critical choke point for global maritime trade.
- Undersea Cables:
- These seas host undersea cables that are vital to the global digital economy.
- Natural Resources:
- In 2023, 10 billion barrels of petroleum and 6.7 trillion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas passed through the South China Sea, making it a crucial energy transit route.
- The seas also contain vast reserves of untapped oil and natural gas.
China’s Actions in the Region
- East China Sea:
- China has aggressively pushed its territorial claims by constructing defense-related infrastructure, including ports, military bases, and artificial islands.
- China has clashed with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, resulting in multiple crises, including the arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain in 2010 and Japan’s nationalization of the islands in 2012.
- South China Sea:
- The South China Sea is a hotspot for Chinese naval power projection.
- China’s Coast Guard and maritime militia have been involved in aggressive actions, such as harassing resupply missions, ramming vessels, and using water cannons in what are known as “grey zone” operations designed to change the status quo without initiating war.
Rising Tensions with the Philippines
- Disputes over EEZ:
- Since 2022, tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated due to incidents in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- China has repeatedly disrupted resupply missions to the Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded ship in the Second Thomas Shoal, leading to multiple confrontations.
- China’s Tactics:
- Chinese Coast Guard ships are significantly larger than those of the Philippines, raising the risk of dangerous confrontations.
- China aims to divide U.S. treaty allies in the region, including the Philippines.
China’s Naval Strategy
- Grey Zone Operations:
- China uses aggressive but non-warlike tactics to push its claims, including ramming vessels and using military-grade lasers.
- These operations are designed to avoid war but still alter the geopolitical balance in the region.
- Military Exercises:
- In July 2024, China conducted joint naval exercises with Russia in the South China Sea, signaling its strength and international support.
- Legal Disputes:
- Despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidates China’s claims in the South China Sea, China continues to reject the ruling and assert its territorial ambitions.
Regional Responses to China’s Maritime Assertiveness
Strengthening Defence Capabilities
- Increased Defence Spending:
- Countries across the Indo-Pacific are boosting their defence budgets in response to China’s growing power. For example, Japan aims to double its defence expenditure by 2027.
- The Philippines has also been enhancing its defence capabilities, acquiring advanced weapons such as the anti-ship BrahMos missiles from India.
Addressing China’s Activities at Sea
- Philippines’ Pushback:
- Under President Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022), the Philippines aimed to reduce tensions with China. However, since 2022, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has adopted a more assertive stance, actively pushing back against China’s maritime actions.
- There has been an increase in the frequency of incidents, as the Philippines has been documenting China’s activities and using social media for public diplomacy.
- International journalists have been brought along for resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea, contributing to a battle of narratives and shaping global perceptions.
Strengthening Alliances with the U.S.
- Trilateral Cooperation:
- The Philippines, Japan, and South Korea, as treaty allies of the U.S., are strengthening their defence ties with the U.S. in response to China’s maritime assertiveness.
- The U.S. and the Philippines have raised their cooperation in the South China Sea to “historic levels,” with enhanced collaboration in areas such as base access, joint training, and exercises.
- Multilateral cooperation has expanded, particularly with Australia and Japan in what is termed “a complex multilateral maritime cooperative activity” or the ‘Squad’.
- U.S. Commitment:
- According to U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, the U.S.’ commitment to Japan’s security is “ironclad” and extends to the Senkaku Islands.
- In 2024, the Defence Ministers of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea met for the first time to discuss security issues, unanimously opposing any attempts to alter the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.
- The countries emphasized the importance of international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight.
Concerns Regarding U.S. Leadership
- Despite bolstering alliances in the Indo-Pacific, concerns remain over the credibility of the U.S. due to its internal domestic issues.
- There is ongoing debate about whether U.S. engagement in East Asia helps balance Chinese power or escalates tensions in the region.
-Source: The Hindu
