Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea

Part 1 -- The territories involved

The definition of territory is an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state

The territories involved consist of China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, each claiming the approximately 200 Spratly Islands, while Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, claim some of them. Vietnam occupies the most land features in the island chain; Taiwan occupies the largest. Overall, this conflict is very widespread and has many countries and ethnic groups involved with it.

Part 2 -- important ethnic, cultural, and nationalities involved in conflict

• Chinese
• Filipino 
• Americans 
• Taiwanese 
• Vietnamese
• Bruniean 
• Malay 

Part 3 -- Describe the conflict’s history and global context

The main conflict in the South China Sea dates back to 1279, when China drew a territorial map of its influence that included the entire South China Sea. Since then, control over the region has changed hands between regional powers and, later, colonial states.

Overall, the most recognized start of this dispute started in 1895 up to the present day. 

The disputes have only intensified over time.

Since the disputes have intensified over time, they are now becoming more and more frequent as of the 1970s. 

The United States intervened because they had an interest in ensuring freedom of navigation.  The United States has a role in preventing military escalation resulting from the territorial dispute. Washington’s defense treaty with Manila could draw the United States into a potential China-Philippines conflict over the substantial natural gas deposits or lucrative fishing grounds in disputed territory.

Part 4 -- Explain the consequences of the conflict

The china sea is one of the most vital trade routes and it is important to end the dispute over the South China Sea so that trade and economic activities of the country are not disrupted further.

Territorial disputes frequently result in diplomatic, economic, and military tensions between two or more States. This territorial dispute is no different. Territorial disputes often bring about political instability and uncertainty concerning which State controls and exercises authority over the disputed territory

A military conflict in the South China Sea would force most shipping from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa destined for Asia and the US west coast to be diverted around the south of Australia which would be extremely costly and a major inconvenience for everyone affected as well as it draining resources more than taking the china sea route would have.