Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Natuna Islands, Pratas and Scarborough Shoal. Most of the islands in this entire area are disputed. China claims 90 percent of this area on the basis of the nine dash line map.
Philippines and China have come face to face in the South China Sea, which is already tense due to many reasons. Chinese coast guard ships had set up a blockade at the entrance to the lagoon at Scarborough Shoal to stop Philippine ships, which was removed by the Philippines Coast Guard. China has been laying claim to this area, hence tension has increased. The core of the dispute in the South China Sea centers around small islands, reefs and the surrounding sea waters.
Here are the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Natuna Islands, Pratas and Scarborough Shoal. Most of the islands in this entire area are disputed. Countries like China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia are building posts on these disputed areas. China claims 90 percent of this area on the basis of the nine dash line map.
What is the reason for stress?
China is particularly active in the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands. He is building an artificial island of 3200 acres here. It started in the year 2013. The work is still going on. China also controls Scarborough Shoal through coast guard forces.
Efforts to resolve the dispute are also being made at the global level but their pace is very slow. Talks started between China and ASEAN countries to create a code of conduct regarding this, but due to internal conflicts among ASEAN member countries, it is not taking shape.
In 2002, ASEAN and China expressed their commitment to a peaceful solution in accordance with international law. In 2013, the Philippines started arbitration proceedings against China according to maritime law. In the year 2016, the Arbitration Court gave its decision against China's Nine Dash Line claim. China rejected this decision.
What does maritime law say?
According to maritime law, any country can establish a territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles and an exclusive economic zone up to two hundred nautical miles from the territorial sea line. The environment is being damaged due to the long-running disputes in the South China Sea. Many other types of problems also arise here.
The need of the hour is to find a solution as soon as possible which is acceptable to all because this area is needed by all. For the countries of this region, this maritime area is important from every strategic, strategic, economic point of view. Although the South China Sea is a very important area for the whole world, but the economy of China, India and surrounding countries is directly linked to it and in case of any kind of dispute, it is sure to have a direct impact on the economy of the countries.
It is bordered by China, Taiwan in the north, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia in the west, Indonesia and Brunei in the south and the Philippines in the east. 70 percent of trade by value and 80 percent by volume is done through sea route. 60 percent of it passes through Asia.
The South China Sea contributes one-third to global maritime transport. About 64 percent of China's trade, 55 percent of India's, and 14 percent of distant America's trade also depend on this part of the ocean. It becomes easy to understand how important this marine area is.
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