Geopolitical Dynamics of South China Sea
Author(s): Ankita Das
Authors Affiliations:
Independent Scholar, Post Graduate in Political Science, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, Pin Code: 110068, New Delhi, India
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202503018 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202503018In recent years, China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea has led to increased friction with Southeast Asian nations, particularly the Philippines, regarding the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. China's extensive sovereignty claims over the sea, which is estimated to contain 11 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, have provoked competing claims from certain southeast Asian countries. Since the 1970s, various countries have laid claim to islands and zones within the South China Sea, including the resource-rich Spratly Islands with their abundant fishing grounds. The inability of Chinese and Southeast Asian leaders to resolve these disputes through diplomatic channels has undermined international maritime law and fostered destabilising arms buildups. Recent satellite imagery has revealed China's intensified efforts to expand land in the South China Sea by enlarging existing islands or creating new ones. China has not only added sand to existing reefs but also constructed ports, military installations, and airstrips. China has also militarized Woody Island by deploying fighter jets, cruise missiles, and a radar system. Shifting geopolitical trends offer crucial insights into the potential trajectory of South China Sea disputes. Factors such as rising nationalism, realigning alliances, advancements in maritime technology, and global economic changes will play pivotal roles in shaping the region's future. The South China Sea's dynamics are intricately linked to broader fluctuations in global power and dominance.
Ankita Das(2025); Geopolitical Dynamics of South China Sea, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-3, Pp.106-111. Available on – https://www.ijirmf.com/
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