SOUTH CHINA SEA
South China Sea disputes involve both island and
maritime claims among several sovereign states, namely
Brunei, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.
Issue details:
The “nine dash line” area claimed by China which
covers most of the South China sea and overlaps
the Exclusive Economic Zone of Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The islands in the South China Sea includes the
Paracels Islands, the Pratas Islands,Scarborough Shoal
and the Spratly Islands which are under dispute.
Background:
• Vietnam argues that China had never claimed sovereignty
over the islands before the 1940s. Vietnam also says it
has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys
since the 17th Century and has the documents to prove
it. In 1974 the Chinese seized the Paracels from Vietnam,
killing more than 70 Vietnamese troops. Malaysia also
claims a small number of islands in the Spratlys.
• Philippines has claimed over Spratly island and
Scroborough Shoal which is at dispute with China since
1990’s.
• Parts of China’s claimed nine-dash line is intersecting
with Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone near Natuna
islands. Although China has acknowledged Indonesia’s
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sovereignty over Natuna islands, China argues that the
waters around Natuna islands are Chinese “traditional
fishing grounds”. Indonesia dismisses China’s claims over
parts of the Natuna islands and has no legal basis.
• Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim to territory in the
South China Sea as it falls within their exclusive economic
zones, as defined by UNCLOS.
Why?
• There are disputes concerning Indonesia’s Natuna Island,
the Spratly and the Paracel islands as well as maritime
areas near to sea like Gulf of Tonkin. The interests of
different nations include acquiring fishing areas around
the these islands, potential exploitation of crude oil and
natural gas under the waters of various parts of the South
China Sea and the strategic control of important shipping
lanes. These area is also one of the busiest shipping routes
in the world.
• The area may be rich in oil and natural gas deposits
however the estimates are highly varied. In a ministry
report China estimate that the South China Sea may
contain 17.7 billion tons of crude oil. It is more compared
to Kuwait resource with 13 billion tons. After ministry’s
report claims regarding the South China Sea islands
intensified. The Energy Information Administration
(EIA) report also points to the wide variety of natural gas
resource estimates, ranging from 190 trillion cubic feet to
500 trillion cubic feet, likely located in the contested Reed
Bank (tablemounts in the South China Sea). The South
SINCE 2004
 China Sea is dubbed by China as the “second Persian have encouraged India to get involved in the South China
Sea”. In the next twenty years Chinese corporation have Sea as they see India as a strong and influential nation that
planned for a huge exploration of crude oil and natural gas can counter China and can help in peaceful negotiations
in the south china sea. (especially Singapore and Vietnam).

Steps taken: • India sees this as an opportunity to develop strong

relations with ASEAN nations and Japan (Japan is also
• China prefers bilateral negotiations with the other parties. very much concerned with the growing Chinese presence
But many of its neighbours argue that China’s relative size in the region as it may threaten their trade). This will also
and clout give it an unfair advantage. Some countries have help India to gain support from other countries in the
argued that China should negotiate with ASEAN (the south china sea region to counter china’s string of pearl.
Association of South East Asian Nations), a 10-member
regional grouping that consists of Thailand, Indonesia, India’s stand:
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos,
• Indian government expressed its view that “India believes
Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.However, China is
that states should resolve disputes through peaceful means
opposed to this, while Asean is also divided over how to
without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in
resolve the dispute.
the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate
• Philippines went to Hague-based Permanent Court of disputes affecting peace and stability.”
Arbitration (PCA) an international arbitration in 2013,
• India supports freedom of navigation in international
to challenge its claims under the UN Convention on the
waters, including in the South China Sea and the right
Laws of the Sea.
of passage in accordance with accepted principles of
• In July 2016, the tribunal backed the Philippines case over international law.
China’s maritime claim and it said China has no legal basis
to claim “historical rights” on islands in the South China Conclusion:
Sea and has violated the Phillippines sovereign rights. The positions of New Delhi and Beijing over the
• However, Beijing has refused to participate in the case, South China Sea ruling seems to have become another
saying the tribunal had “no jurisdiction” over the issue. divergence in their relationship that has seen a growing
After the tribunal judgement, China had boycotted the strain recently, especially over India’s membership bid
proceedings and called the ruling “ill-founded”. It says it for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as well as India’s
will not be bound by it. push to have Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar
banned.
Implication on India:
• India follows the policy of not involving in disputes Bad relations with China will trigger confrontation
between sovereign nations but India has commercial along the LAC and more incursions by the chinese
interests in this region. Vietnam has offered India seven oil military into the Indian side and also results in more
blocks in its territory of South China Sea. India has signed intrusion from Pakistan on the Western side.
energy deals with Brunei too. This move that didn’t get
Economically, China is our largest trading partner
down well with China.
and bilateral trade is worth almost US$80 billion. This
• Around 50% of India’s trade passes through Malacca would take a serious hit with the Chinese placing various
Strait (part of South China Sea). Countries like Vietnam sanctions on the trade. India would be more impacted as
have asked India to help them out in oil exploration. The it imports more from China than what it exports with
presence of China’s military threatens Indian & Japanese
the trade deficit being almost US$ 45 billion. All the
trade and energy exploration for other countries in the
improvement in diplomatic relations that has happened
region.
in recent times would become inadequate. Thus, india
• India has friendly relations with ASEAN countries and have to take a diplomatic decision on the South China
hostile relation with China, citing this, the ASEAN nations Sea issues whether to support china or not.

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