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The U.S. First, the United States should feel more confident to pressure the junta on human rights concerns. These straws-in-the-wind gained strategic context because the PRC had long published official maps showing a boundary encompassing almost the entire South China Sea the nine-dash line.. It is highly likely that China will continue to upset regional stability in the SCS to expand its own sphere of influence. To this end, the new administration should perform an early, top-down, and thorough strategic review to enable greater consistency and effectiveness in U.S. South China Sea policy. But the South China Sea has been dangerously overfished. The result has been to heighten tensions and allow Chinese forces to more easily project military power across the region. The United States now has the opportunity to secure for another generation the peace that has held in Asia for nearly four decades now. in the northeast, the South China Sea is one of the most important trade routes in the world. Thats why the United States has urged countries to resolve maritime claim disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. These factors combined give a strategic importance to the South China Sea that has led to numerous states Brunei, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam each pressing their own claims to . Certainly, the ongoing reform process and the opening of relations with the United States amount to a strategic setback for Chinas position in the region. As the new administration sets out to revamp U.S. strategy in the South China Sea, it should keep the following guidelines in mind: Although Chinese cooperation is necessary to address some regional and global issuessuch as North Koreas belligerent behavior and climate changethe United States should not be held hostage by concerns that a more robust deterrence strategy will thwart bilateral cooperation. In sum, the United States has built and maintained a dense network of security links and obligations throughout East and Southeast Asia all sustained by regular contact with the Seventh Fleet as it transits the region via the South China Sea. 1994 The Convention on the Law of the Sea goes into effect. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. The SCS is passage of half of the world trade. The United States has leverage over China in areas not directly related to South China Sea and may have to consider using or threatening to use these tools to stabilize the regional order. Preserving the U.S. military edge is key to maintaining the U.S. position in Asia. Chinese missiles on the mainland already hold all U.S. Asian bases at risk. Miguel . Sun Tzu Explains China's Shaping Operations in the South China Sea. The growing size and capability of the Chinese air force, navy, and coast guard allow Beijing to consistently monitor and exercise de facto control over most of the South China Sea. In 2012, then Chinese president Hu Jintao voiced his desire to make China a powerful maritime nation. Dispersed American forces would act as countermeasure and would complicate defense planning for the Chinese military and political calculations for Beijing, while ensuring U.S. forces are positioned to support each other in the event of a crisis. Southeast Asia will inevitably be rendered subordinate and compliant to Chinas will. Vietnam's coastline bordering the South China Sea is over 3,000 kilometers long. Despite all that, Beijing now faces a competition with Washington (and Delhi and Tokyo) for influence in Naypyidaw. When it comes to trade, investment and infrastructure development, China should not be the only game in town. The South China Sea is one of the most important trade pathways in the world. The Strategic Importance of the South China Sea. Besides, more than half of the world's fishing vessels pass through the SCS. You are approaching Chinese airspace. It is the geostrategic importance that is usually the main reason for the parties to strengthen their claim over the Spratlys and the Paracels. In 2010, the US declared its freedom of navigation in the SCS to be a national interest in response to Chinas increasingly assertive posture. More and more, we see a particularly aggressive maritime stance from China towards NATO warships when exercising freedom of navigation through the SCS. Peace Corps celebrates spirit of volunteerism, A distinctive sign language thrives among Black Americans, U.S. rescuers stand ready to find earthquake survivors, People across U.S. rush to aid Trkiye, Syria, Blinken pledges continued U.S. support for Trkiye, Syria, Meet the U.S. search teams who helped save lives in Trkiye, Fighting tropical diseases in the Pacific Islands, U.S. partners assist the Syrian people after earthquake, U.S. welcomes Indian students in record numbers, Indian American CEOs exemplify countries shared ambitions, The latest medical gadgets at U.S. tech show, Helping women in Vietnam become academic leaders, Ukraine: Before and after February 24, 2022, Russias re-education camps hold thousands of Ukraines children, report says. The same cannot be said for China and a maritime Southeast Asia that aligns with the United States. Coral reefs, which are vital to marine habitats, have been declining by 16 percent per decade, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In my mind, this leads to 3 key questions to base any form of analysis from: In order to understand the contention of the South China Sea and its significance, it is firstly imperative to understand the geopolitical importance of Asia, which has given rise to Chinese pre-eminence; enabling its rise to contemporary major political power on the global stage. There are certainly other situations involving other challenges, but this is the most plausible and dangerous. China sought access to natural resources, to political influence and to a strategic maritime position in the Bay of Bengal. The Chinese recently built an island in the South China Sea, apparently as a potential airbase. South China Sea and possible options. American littoral combat ships are rotating through Singapore, at the South China Seas western extremis, and the city-state has also quietly built the only Asian port outside of Yokohama at which an American aircraft carrier can dock. That line was given little credence or attention in the U.S. or in Asia over the first five decades of the PRCs history. To counter Chinas efforts to control the South China Sea, the United States needs a sustainable strategy to bolster its own capabilities, work more effectively with capable allies and partners, and strengthen the regional order. This segment will address American interests. The South China Sea is one such essential waterway, made more important by the value of the sea's fisheries and subsea resources such as natural gas. All countries want positive economic and security ties with both China and the United States. The end of the Cold War found East Asia and the Western Pacific strategically quiescent. . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Since 2009, China has growingly asserted its influence over the SCS by enforcing an annual fishing ban, conducting regular maritime patrols, undertaking scientific surveys and conducting military exercises in the disputed islands and waters. by Geoffrey Hartman Vietnam already flies modern Russian fighter jets and is expecting delivery this year of its sixth and final Kilo-class submarinesubmarines so quiet that the U.S. Navy refers to them as black holes. If the Chinese Navy wants to have its way in the South China Sea, it will have to dedicate resources to tracking those subs, a task with which the PLAN has limited experience. The United States needs to consider a wider variety of non-military responses to Chinas efforts to control the South China Sea, and more effectively build a local coalition to support these responses. Chinas rising military power and political influence is generating anxiety and suspicion among some of its neighbours and western powers. By contrast, China views. Burma, however, is a potential bright spot for the U.S. position in continental Southeast Asia. All these aspects highlight the strategic indispensability of the South China Sea for global trade routes. However, Brunei's insistence that specific issues in the maritime region should be . Importantly, American access to four airbases (with potentially more to be made available at a later date)especially those on Luzon and Palawanwill make U.S. air power resident in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asians do not want to and should not have to choose between the two, but Chinese behavior is moving some states to pick sidesor at least to lean in one direction or another. Back in 2006, Japan became only the second country (after Russia) to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam. It has increased its military budget by over 8.5% in recent years and this is likely to continue for the near future. That included nearly 40 percent of Chinas total trade and 90 percent of petroleum imports by China, Japan, and South Korea and nearly 6 percent of total U.S. trade. With the incoming administration likely to grapple early with South China Sea issues, the CSIS Southeast Asia Program, directed by Dr. Amy Searight, worked in collaboration with other Asia colleagues at CSISDr. The third will assess the policies/strategies currently employed by the United States in this arena as well as other plausible options. China, Russia and the Munich Security Conference. Media Relations Manager, External Relations. Preserving the U.S. military edge is key to maintaining the U.S. position in Asia. The United States has formally objected to Chinas South China Sea maritime claims. To facilitate capacity building, Washington should preserve regional defense relationships while recognizing that the ability of the United States to partner with frontline states depends on their cooperation and adherence to good governance and human rights. The outcome of that contest will profoundly influence, if not shape, the 21st century world. The most important and least tangible stake in the South China Sea concerns the preservation (or not) of a regional rules-based order supported by U.S. power. If Chinese coercion goes unchallenged by the United States, it will send a dangerous signal about the strength of the U.S. alliance system and lessen the appeal of the United States as a security partner. The South China Sea is basically China's export waterway to Africa and to Europe (among other markets), but in order for China's enemy (aspiring conqueror), America, to harm and weaken China maximally, and to use the United Nations assisting in that aggression, America and its allies have cast this vital trade-waterway as being instead basically just an area to be exploited for oil and gas . More than 50% of world trade passes. The two major power of the world i.e. China remains uncompromising on sovereignty, has increased its capability to enforce its de facto control in disputed areas, and has sought to advance its claims while staying below the threshold for direct military conflict with the United States. multifaceted fiscal and strategic benefits, acting as a magnet for the regional as well as . Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. China, too, considers control of these waters to be of high strategic importance. It is unlikely that any states in the region possess the wealth and power to oppose this, although there is always a realistic possibility that they may receive backing from the USA if it is in their interests. In the past two weeks, Filipino . In a meeting attended by the foreign ministers of 26 nations from the broader region, Clinton simply asserted that the South China Sea was subject to multiple territorial claims and a multinational mechanism should be established to find a peaceful diplomatic solution. A U.S. Navy crewman aboard a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft views a computer screen purportedly showing Chinese construction on the reclaimed land of Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. Tackling these issues will be tricky for the United States, as many of the elites that benefit from corruption will be those with whom Washington must work to deepen ties, but this is a long-term effort worth pursuing. That grouping came under Chinese control an event that went almost entirely unnoticed in the wider world as the drama marking the end of the Vietnam War played out. As . China, for example, has asserted a maritime claim to a large majority of the South China Sea that is not consistent with international law. 2023 Center for Strategic & International Studies. Douglas R. Bush, Deterring a Cross-Strait Conflict: Beijing's Assessment of Evolving U.S. Strategy, Rethinking Humanitarian Aid: A Conversation with Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA, The South China Sea Some Fundamental Strategic Principles, Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project, Energy Security and Climate Change Program. The USSJohn C. Stennistied up there for a few days in April. Then again, China may see its efforts in the South China Sea blunted. The area is globally important for a few reasons. Final Thoughts & Looking Towards the Future. In a context of great power competition, the South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as an arena of U.S.-China strategic competition. Thailand, of course, has been an important security partner for the United States. In addition to fishing grounds, the South China Sea contains an abundance of energy resources, . "First, South China Sea is important for the strategic patrol of Chinese SSBN [nuclear ballistic missile submarine], which needs to enter west Pacific Ocean for its nuclear deterrence against the US," he explained. As the pivot of global economy continues to move east it is highly likely that 21st century geopolitics will continue to revolve around Asia and the SCS. The South China Sea is a core interest of both Vietnam and China. 2009 China issues two diplomatic notes that appear to claim a majority of the South China Sea. India is training crews for Vietnams new Kilo-class submarines and will sell Vietnam BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. Many of these countries suffer from corruption and lack for effective rule of law. Finally, the United States should prioritize governance issues in its relations with Southeast Asian states. Accordingly, Malaysia's note verbale serves as the strongest stance of Malaysia on the SCS in recent times and aligns itself with the top priority of its DWP. U.S. interests in the South China Sea fall into three broad categories including: (1) Economic interests tied to the sea-lanes; (2) Defense ties with allies and other security partners; and (3) Implications for the global balance of power and influence. The strategic importance of the SCS is mainly due to its geographical location, as the area is one of the worlds busiest and most strategic shipping lanes. Abstract. 1982 More than 160 nations conclude the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty setting out the framework governing the oceans and their uses. Pexels India-China Indo-Pacific South China Sea Signalling is important international relations. Last year, the construction projects covered 72 acres. U.S. responses to Chinas South China Sea activities have been insufficient to alter Chinas behavior and have fed the narrative that China is pushing the United States out of the region. This is the first of three short essays examining the South China Sea as a first order strategic problem for the United States. The increasing activity of Beijing in the South China Sea, Consequences of US-China rivalry in Indo-Pacific and beyond, Balancing the giants: Australia between China and US. Although ultimately unsuccessful in Vietnam, America emerged in a surprisingly advantageous strategic position in Southeast Asia with alliances intact with Thailand and the Philippines and friendly ties with Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Total fish stocks have been depleted by 70 to 95 percent since the 1950s. Most of China's contested land borders were remote areas with few people, natural resources or clear military utility. That should, of course, remain the goal, but Washington must recognize that Thailand is in the midst of a decade-long political crisis, which is unlikely to be resolved until after King Bhumibols passing and the royal succession is completed. Follow the Asia Program on Twitter @AsiaProgram. In April, Australian Defence Force personnel joined the U.S.-Philippines Balikatan maneuvers, which included an amphibious landing exercise. The United States has been less successful in supporting local partners as they resist Chinese coercion. Unfortunately, some countries fail to comply with the existing international law. Talks are focused on articles that are relevant to disaster relief, but the agreements eventual parameters could expand as the U.S.-Vietnam security relationship matures. 2013 The Philippines challenges Chinas claims of historic rights and other actions in an arbitration case under the Law of the Sea Convention. But if China continues to play its cards wrong and if the United States proves itself a dependable partner, American warships could one day regularly operate out of Cam Ranh Bay, the strategically located port-of-call, for the first time since the Vietnam War. U.S. policy in the South China Sea has been overly reliant on military options, which may not always be the most effective response. Firstly, the South China Sea is a prominent shipping passage with $5.3 trillion worth of . The Thai people are lurching towards a new political arrangement, a process that Thais have to see through for themselves. This has continued in to the present day. Almost all the East Asian countries are dependent on this sea. U.S. military advantage is of limited utility in this area and Washington has struggled to convince local partners to join in freedom of navigation operations. Does US-hegemonic decline translate into a fight between democracy and autocracy in maintaining a benign world order? Given these advantages, Washington can afford to focus on the long game in Asia, confident that Chinese adventurism is likely to push many states to turn to the United States for support. Hanoi will move cautiously and such access may be limited to the purposes of logistical support for the time being. South China Sea is a strategic sea lane is significance for connectivity, navigation, trade and resources is a global hotspot as a potential flashpoint. China's actions in the SCSincluding extensive . Chinas island outposts will increase this advantage as Chinese aircraft, ships, and paramilitary vessels will be able to rest and resupply in the southern portion of the South China Sea.