A U.S. South China Sea Perspective: Just Over the Horizon

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The South China Sea, on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, is vast, over 1.4 million square miles (3.6 million sq. km) but the two major island groups (Spratly and Paracel) that cover less than six square miles (15.5 sq. km) are the center of many disputes. Fig. 1 Map of the South China Sea, with Paracel and Spratly Islands highlighted (University of Texas at Austin Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection). 8
Yet, China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan have been positioning themselves to claim control over the islands, reefs, and in many cases, some protruding rocks, so as to claim sovereignty, which gives them underground excavation and fishing rights. This has resulted in disputed maritime claims that have existed in the South China Sea for almost a generation. However, the current global recession and a growing demand for oil and natural gas have caused some players to become more aggressive. According to the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, twenty-three confrontations have occurred in the region over the last three years. 9 Islands of Contention: The Spratly and Paracels Before discussing the legal framework behind the disputed maritime claims, it is important to understand the terrain of the South China Sea. The tensions are centered in the Spratly Islands, which encompass about forty-five islands and hundreds of reefs, islets, atolls, and cays. Of the forty-five islands, only nine are considered major and the total combined land mass is only 1.9 square miles (4.9 sq. km). The highest point in the Spratly Islands is 13 feet (4 meters) above sea level; many of its features disappear temporarily under the rising tide. None of these islands can support human life — the only indigenous inhabitants are seagulls and the Blue-footed Booby, which includes ten species of long-winged seabirds. 9
Page 1 and 2: A U.S. South China Sea Perspective:
Page 3 and 4: Contents Abstract .................
Page 5 and 6: Introduction After more than a deca
Page 7: passing through it than the Malacca
Page 11 and 12: The United Nations Law of the Seas
Page 13 and 14: However, China’s submission of th
Page 15 and 16: The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Naj
Page 17 and 18: the north coast of the island of Bo
Page 19 and 20: egaining the relationship with the
Page 21 and 22: visit to the U.S. Pacific Command i
Page 23 and 24: China Sea Islands. The United State
Page 25 and 26: cutting the submerged cables of an
Page 27 and 28: While seeking diplomatic support fr
Page 29 and 30: ASEAN Before discussing China and t
Page 31 and 32: Operating within these principles c
Page 33 and 34: Economics and diplomacy merged agai
Page 35 and 36: U.S. military power. 53 These predi
Page 37 and 38: Under the Asia-Pacific umbrella sin
Page 39 and 40: an effort to engage its emerging na
Page 41 and 42: hand on the tiller of state, transl
Page 43 and 44: Michael Auslin, Director of Japanes
Page 45 and 46: Academy at West Point already has e
Page 47 and 48: order disputes. The fact that these
Page 49 and 50: ecome reality and the United States
Page 51 and 52: The United States has no territoria
Page 53 and 54: http://cil.nus.edu.sg/1992/1992-mem
Page 55 and 56: 45. Chen I-hsin, “Protecting the
Page 57: 75. “Agreement between the Govern

A U.S. South China Sea Perspective: Just Over the Horizon

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