Southeast Asia: The South China Sea Dispute

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Southeast Asia: The South China Sea Dispute

The South China Sea attracts attention for the manner it has recently been at the center of disputes, some of which have from time to time escalated and threated to become serious international conflicts. Indeed, the region’s importance fuels these disputes, particularly because of its strategic geographic location. Besides being positioned in the way of some of the most preferred and widely used oceanic routes in the world, the region is said to have promising gas and oil reserves. It is no surprise that more than five countries have put forth claims on territorial ownership (and control) of different parts of the region. This paper discusses some of the region’s most significant global connections.

Figure 1: Map showing Southeast Asia countries and the South China Sea

Source: Choi (2017)

With globalization[1], it is highly likely that a conflict in one part of the world will affect other regions, even those that may, on the face, seem unrelated. For the South China Sea, its connections to different regions of the world is pegged upon a number of factors that directly relate to its geographical position. It is situated at the intersection of the East-West route and the North-South route, two of the world’s most used Sea Lines of Communication (SOCs) (Khalilzad et al. 2001). The former links the Pacific and Indian Oceans while the latter connects New Zealand and Australia to the larger Northeast Asia. According to Klare (2001), most Asian countries rely on crucial resources found in other parts of the world, and these resources must be transported through the area under focus. The crude oil originating from the Arabian gulf must pass through this region to get to various countries in the region to where it is destined (USDOE EIA, 2001). The importance of this region, hence its potential to attract interest (and ultimate conflict), cannot be overemphasized. The following global connections are worth highlighting.

The United States

The United States, by virtue of its interests in Asia and other parts of the world, is connected to the South China Sea and the dispute therein. While the control of natural resources is the main reason most countries are interested in this region (hence involved in the dispute) the US is more concerned with the rise of China and the military as well as economic threat this development presents. Teixeira (2028) explains the connection of the South China Sea to the US using the power transition theory[2], presenting that the idea of an emerging power challenging the prevailing/established international order is very unwelcome. In this case, the rise of China to challenge the United States’ domination in the world affairs is unwelcome. As such, the South China Sea remains an important point for the US to check China’s rapid growth, particularly as can be made possible, through the Pentagon’s policy in the same regard. Nye (2011) agrees that China’s growing power and influence in Asia and beyond poses a risk to the US which is keen to maintain the status quo, particularly as regards its position as the world superpower. The South China Sea dispute thus equally interests the US.

The Korean Peninsula

The connection of the South China Sea (and the current dispute) to the Korea Peninsula is mainly through South Korea (ROK-Republic of Korea). Considering that this country sources a majority of its imports (mainly oil) from the Middle East, and that these must pass through the South China Sea, it goes without saying that events in this region are of interest to South Korea, a major player in the Korean Peninsula (Jaehyon, 2018). If, for instance, the conflict escalates and becomes an international military conflict, the ensuing sea blockade will greatly affect the Republic of South Korea and the Korean Peninsula in general.

The European Union

The connection of the South China Sea to the European Union is mainly through trade. True as it were, The European Union has established significant trade and diplomatic ties with China as well as several ASEAN[3] members. According to the European Commission (2016), the volume of trade between the European Union and ASEAN accounts for as high as 30 percent of its total trade. It goes without saying that any instability in Southeast Asia where the South China Sea is situated will have devastating effects on the EU. Additionally, the bilateral relations between countries in this region and the EU in general have often covered an array of issues, and they have been fruitful for the most part. Any destabilizing events in this region are likely to affect the EU. It is for this reason that the European Commission has emphasized its commitment and cooperation with ASEAN towards realizing lasting peace and stability in Southeast Asia, more particularly the South China Sea.

Conclusion

In a word, the connection of the South China Sea (and the dispute therein) to different regions of the globe typically manifests the workings of globalization. An event in one part of the globe can, in many ways, affect other regions, even those that are far away. The South China Sea connection to the US is on grounds of America’s need to check the growing power and influence of China so as to maintain its status quo as the world superpower. As to the Korean Peninsula connection, it has been highlighted that South Korea, a major actor in this region, sources many of its supplies from other parts of the world (for instance oil from the Middle East). Therefore, any developments in the South China will without doubt affect this region as well. Last yet important, the European Union is connected by virtue of its diplomatic and trade ties with China and ASEAN.

[1] Globalization refers to the process of integration and interaction among companies, people, and nations worldwide.

[2] The power transition theory explains world politics through a dynamic structural approach. Its locus is mainly the differential growth rates of different countries and the effect that has on relative power relations among countries. The theory explains the cynical nature of conflicts in the context of these differential growth rates that more often than not lead to the formation of new relationships among countries and between groups. With these new relationships comes the formation of new economic and political groupings.

[3] ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) was founded in 1967 in Bangkok following the Bangkok declaration involving Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. Its objective was to strengthen cooperation among these countries in educational, technical, social, economic, and cultural fields among others. It also sought to promote stability and peace in Southeast Asia in pursuance of the principles spelt out by the United Nations Charter. Later on Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam joined the association.