China and Other Nations Spar Over South China Sea

A Recipe for Conflict

Several countries surround the South China Sea and claim parts of it and its many small islands. These claims overlap in many places, increasing tensions and leading to conflict.

China, for instance, claims vast areas of the sea as its own and has been building artificial islands, some of which have military purposes. This has particularly raised tensions with the Philippines, which also claims the areas where China is expanding.

The dispute is not just over sovereignty, however. China is believed to control fishing and other resources worth billions of dollars. Moreover, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the sea holds an estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

A History of Tension

The South China Sea is not new territory for conflict. In 1988, for instance, China and Vietnam clashed over the Spratly Islands, a group of islands in the southern part of the sea. The conflict resulted in the deaths of more than 70 Vietnamese sailors.

In 2012, the Philippines and China had a standoff over the Scarborough Shoal, a group of reefs and islands in the northwestern part of the sea. The standoff lasted for several months and was only resolved after the United States intervened.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claims to the sea were invalid. However, China has refused to accept the ruling, and tensions have continued to simmer.

A Potential Flashpoint

The South China Sea is a potential flashpoint for conflict because of the overlapping claims and the resources at stake. If the tensions between the countries involved continue to rise, it could lead to a military conflict.

The United States has warned that it will not tolerate any attempt by China to use force to assert its claims. Other countries in the region, such as Japan and Australia, have also expressed concern about China's actions.

The South China Sea dispute is a complex and long-running issue. There is no easy solution, and it is likely to continue to be a source of tension for years to come.