South China Sea (superpower tensions & contested geography)

    Cards (6)

    • Territorial tensions
    • Players involved:
      • China
      • Taiwan
      • Philippines
      • Brunei
      • Malaysia
      • Vietnam
      • Indonesia
    • Causes of conflict:
      • 11 barrels of oil
      • 190trillion cubic feet of natural gas
      • 30% of world's shipping passes through the sea
      • 10% of world's fisheries
      • China claims ownership of the sea due to historical mapping > 9-dash-line
    • Actions causing conflict:
      • China claiming ownership of the Spratly Islands > cabbage strategy
      • Chinese warships and submarines surrounding spratly island of other countries > restricts food and resources
    • Attitudes of players:
      • Philippines arresting Chinese trespassers
      • Indonesia arresting Chinese fishermen
      • Countries in the SCS are weaponising territories > military bases
      • US wants conflict to stop but refuses involvement in the conflict
    • Possible outcomes:
      • A Cold war
      • UCLOS may have to get involved > China will accept but later disagree > veto the decision
      • China and Taiwan longterm conflict
      • Threats to regional stability and freedom of navigation
      • China permanent member of the UN > can call veto and impose sanctions suited to them