The South China Sea has been a hotly contested region for many years, with China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan all claiming territorial control over the region, which although only has a few scattered islands, possesses vast economic resources, including oil. This richness of natural resources is the main motivating factor in the political and diplomatic conflict that is intensifying across East Asia.
Recently tensions over the region have escalated and China is at the heart of the dispute with the country claiming a great swathe of territorial waters, that not only includes the contested Spratly and Parcel Islands but also encroaches on the territorial waters of all the other nations in the region. For the other nations the boundaries of their ocean territories are defined by the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone set down by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), although many have issued counter claims to China, including Vietnam and the Philippines, that may exceed these borders.
China’s claim includes a U-shaped territory that extends southwards from Hainan Island to close to the coast of Brunei and Malaysian Borneo. China and Taiwan, who both see themselves as legitimate leaders of all historically Chinese territory, uphold the same claim that the two island chains were both historically Chinese and therefore today should remain Chinese territory.
However Vietnam has argued that they have historically governed and run the islands and looked after the people living there, and it is only since the Second World War that China has looked to taking control. Thus, they argue, they have a historic precedent and this entitles them to ownership. This conflict came to a head in the 1970’s when Chinese troops seized the Parcel Islands from Vietnam and sent soldiers into the Spratly Islands, resulting in Vietnamese loses on both occasions.
The Philippines, likewise, also claims the islands arguing that they, as the geographically closest country to the Spratly’s, have the right to 
administration. It is the tension with the Philippines that has caused the most recent clashes between Beijing and the other states in the South China Sea. The Philippines has accused China of bolstering their military presence in the region and recent revelations, that show the Chinese developing a military garrison in Sansha City, Yongxing (Woody Island) in the Parcel Islands, appear to confirm these accusations.
Both sides have sent warships into the region which has left diplomatic relations at a figurative and literal stand-off. This is a move that has put many in the global community on edge as analysts believe that the diplomatic dispute could become a flash point for conflict. With this in mind many external players have sought to intervene; the most prolific being the USA.
However China has reacted aggressively to American involvement believing that their endorsement of the Philippines, with whom they have a historic relationship, and the UN established agreement, symbolizes an attack on Chinese society and politics. But it is not just the USA who are getting involved. ASEAN is one of the most powerful multi-national blocs in the world, but for the first time they failed to issue a joint statement at a meeting and this is largely due to South China Sea debate. Although it sought not to be involved with the dispute, ASEAN chair – Cambodia have received criticism for trying to deflect attention away from the issue due to its close relationship with China. This recent meeting’s failure in South East Asian unity has prompted many regional leaders to intervene and push for a resolution of this dispute.
The future for this region is uncertain as national pride and economic development drive a dispute that may see one of the world’s biggest military powers come into conflict with its neighbours resulting in fighting that is likely to have global consequences.
A Little View of the World 