South China Sea Disputes

Context (REUTERS): China has released a new “standard map”, which includes the ten-dash line.

Ten-dash Line

The Ten-dash line is a U-shaped line (with ten dashes) in the South China Sea.
It is an extended version of the nine-dash line.
With the ten-dash line, China is claiming over 90% of the South China Sea.

In 1947, China, under the rule of the nationalist Kuomintang party, issued a map with the so-called “nine-dash line”. It is lined with nine dashes in the South China Sea.
The line essentially encircles Beijing’s claimed waters and islands in the South China Sea.
- It was initially the “eleven-dash line”. Later, the government removed “the portion encompassing the Gulf of Tonkin, simplifying the border to nine dashes”.
The line runs as far as 2,000 km from the Chinese mainland to within a few hundred kilometres of the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.
China’s claim on the waters and islands within the boundary is based on its “historical maritime rights.”
China has never clearly stated the line coordinates, and the line runs many miles beyond what is allowed under the United Nations treaty on maritime territorial issues, which China has signed.
It was a part of China’s map submitted to the UN in 2009.

The South China Sea is situated just south of the Chinese mainland and is bordered by the countries of Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
It extends from the Strait of Malacca in the southwest to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast.
It is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.

Rich oil and gas reserves: There are an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in deposits under the South China Sea.
Important shipping lane: Over half of the world’s oil tanker traffic and over half of the world’s merchant fleet (by tonnage) sail through its waters every year.
Strategic maritime link between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Remarkable biological diversity, including 30% of the world’s coral reefs and many valuable fisheries.
It is home to rich fishing grounds that provide for the livelihoods of millions.

The countries have bickered over territorial control in the sea for centuries, but in the past few years, China has tried to stop other nations from conducting any military or economic operation without its consent, saying the sea falls under its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
To assert its claim, China has physically increased the size of islands or created new islands altogether in the sea.
Additionally, China has constructed ports, military installations, and airstrips—particularly in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, where it has twenty and seven outposts, respectively.
China has militarised Woody Island by deploying fighter jets, cruise missiles, and a radar system.

Credits: TH

Vietnam claims both islands. It says it has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys since the 17^th Century.
The Philippines’ claim over the Spratly Islands is based on its geographical proximity.
Malaysia claims a small number of islands in the Spratlys.

Malaysia and Brunei claim that territories included in the Nine-dash line fall within their EEZ.

The Philippines approached the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

UNCLOS was ratified by the Philippines in 1984 and China in 1996.

In 2016, the PCA ruled in favour of the Philippines on most of its submissions.
It said China does not have a legal basis to claim historic rights over a large part of the South China Sea. China did not participate in the proceeding and rejected its ruling.

Freedom of navigation: The South China Sea is not China’s sea but a global common. India supports freedom of navigation and the rule of law across global commons.
Sea Lane of Communication: It has been an important sea lane of communication since the very beginning, and passage has been unimpeded over the centuries.
History of Indian presence: Indians have sailed these waters for well over 1,500 years, and there is ample historical and archaeological proof of a continuous Indian presence from Malaysia to China.
Trade route: Nearly $200 billion of our trade passes through the South China Sea.
Essential for regional peace: India shares the stakes in the peace and security of this region, which are essential for our economic well-being.
Support to Philippines: India has reiterated support for Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty.