The tension in the South China Sea is very high, and the main reason for that is the CCP. They claim it`s their territory. China`s claim to the sea is based both on the law of the Sea Convention and its so-called «nine-dash» line.
This line extends for 2,000 kilometers from the Chinese mainland, encompassing over half of the sea. This consept is important: it means that by definition, the South China Sea is a shared maritime space.
But why is South China Sea so dangerous? The area is poorly charted, making it exceptionally dangerous to navigate. The major Singapore-to-Hong-Kong routes go well to the west and east of the area, and this is one of the reasons why the South China Sea is so important for the U.S, but also for the Global UK.
Maintaining freedom of navigation is a fundamental interest of the U.S. Unhindered navigation by all ships and aircraft in the South China Sea is essential for the peace and prosperity of the entire Asia-Pasific region, including the United States.
Since the two-day clash of arms between China and the former Republic of Vietnam (South) in January 1974, the Paracels have been firmly in Chinese control, while the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam are each holding a part of the Spratlies.
This is a dangerous global conflict, and China`s sweeping claims of soverignty over the sea, and the sea`s estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, have antogonized competing claimants Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is warning; if the the South China Sea dispute with China escalates, «it will be bloody.»
President Duterte has said he is prepared to send military ships to «stake a claim» over oil and mineral resources in the South China Sea, while noting that challenging Beijing in the disputed waters will only lead to violence.
«If we go there to assert our jurisdiction, it will be bloody,» Duterte said in a televised briefing, his first remarks after hundreds of Chinese vessels were spotted at a disputed reef in March.
Not only the U.S marines are one the way to the South China Sea. So are Britain, with a huge naval force. The war-drums is also a wake-up call for Australia.
The largest naval flotilla assembled by Britain in recent years will set sail in May on a months long voyage through tha Pacific, the country`s Defence Ministry said.
«When our Carrier Strike Group (CSG) sets sail next month, it will be flying the flag for Global Britain, projecting our influence, signaling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow,» UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Monday.
«The UK is not stepping back but sailing forth to play an active role in shaping the international system of the 21 century,» Mr Wallace said.
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