what are the tensions in the environ- political spheres

• disputed borders in the south china sea

  china is staking claim to large area of the south china sea, dismissing the UNCLOS (law of the sea, 200 miles)
• how has china claimed area in the south china sea?


  with a 9 dash line
• how can china argue that the law of the sea does not apply to them?


  they did their 9 dash line before the EEZ was a thing- historical claim
• what is the problem with china 9 dash line?


  overlaps with every exclusive economic zone, 5 countries
• why is the south china sea very important?


  rich in resources

  • 11 billion barrels of oil
  • 30% of trade come through
  • fish
  • natural gas
• how did china physically try to increase their claim in the south china sea?


  china created islands with sand, and eventually put military based on them
• what was it called when china started to make islands in the south china sea?


  the great sand wall of china
• what countries own the spratley island in the south china sea


  China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• what is the cabbage strategy?


  boats surrounding islands so no resources can enter, slowly disarming and taking control
• how was the cabbage strategy used in the south china sea in 2013?


  china's boats surrounded a philippines owned island to strategically take control but without causing major conflict