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Question 1

Use information from this lesson to identify how natural resources are being used to
cause conflict in the South China Sea. Conduct research online to locate at least three
primary or secondary sources that describe the current territorial dispute in the South
China Sea. Be sure that at least one of your sources uses GIS data to illustrate the
types and locations of this region's resources. Identify which resources are being
disputed, who is involved, and what is being done. Then, critique the actions of
different nations by evaluating the information you find online. Finally, take a stance
and give your opinion, using evidence from your sources to describe an action plan
that should be taken to solve the dispute.
Record your answers below.
Search online for at least three reputable sources that describe the territorial
disputes occurring in the South China Sea. Summarize in your own words the
nature of the conflict, then provide the links to your sources.
Description of the conflict,
including who is involved,
what resources are being
disputed, and what is
being done.
Links to three sources 1.
2.
3.
In a paragraph of 5–7 sentences, choose two of the nations involved in the conflict
and critique their actions. Are their actions justified or unjustified? Legal or illegal?
Moral or immoral? How does the evidence in your sources support your critique?

1 answer

Description of the Conflict

The South China Sea is a highly contested region, with overlapping territorial claims by several countries, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The primary resources being disputed in this area include fishing grounds, undersea oil and gas reserves, and shipping lanes. Tensions erupted as China has constructed artificial islands and military installations, asserting sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, a claim rejected by other countries and contradicted by international law. The United States has also been involved, conducting freedom of navigation operations to challenge China's claims. The situation has escalated economic and military tensions in the region, leading to confrontations between various nations over resource rights and territorial integrity.

Links to Three Sources

  1. The Diplomat - The South China Sea Conflict Explained
    Read more here

  2. Council on Foreign Relations - The South China Sea
    Read more here

  3. ESRI - South China Sea Resource Disputes (GIS Data)
    Read more here

Critique of Two Nations' Actions

Focusing on China and the Philippines, China's aggressive actions, such as building artificial islands and militarizing them, can be seen as unjustified and illegal under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These actions assert dominance over international waters and violate the rights of neighboring countries. In contrast, the Philippines has taken a more cooperative approach by seeking international arbitration regarding its territorial claims, which culminated in a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 that favored the Philippines. This ruling rejected China's expansive claims and affirmed the Philippines' rights to its exclusive economic zone. However, the Philippines' response has been inconsistent, balancing between asserting its rights and maintaining economic relationships with China. This inconsistency may undermine its legal position. Evidence from the sources highlights how China is prioritizing expansion over legality, while the Philippines is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape to uphold its rights.

Conclusion

To solve the South China Sea dispute, a multilateral approach is essential. All claimant nations should engage in dialogue facilitated by organizations like ASEAN and the United Nations. A binding international agreement governing resource management, accompanied by respecting international law, can help maintain peace and stability in the region while ensuring equitable resource sharing.