South China Sea- Territorial Disputes

The South China Sea is a semi-enclosed marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.

It is strategically important because of:

  • Major shipping routes.

  • Fisheries.

  • Hydrocarbon resources.

  • Competing territorial claims.

Claimant states include:

  • China

  • Vietnam

  • Philippines

  • Malaysia

  • Brunei

  • Taiwan.

Important maritime features include the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

Key Pointers

  • Ocean → Pacific Ocean

  • Major straits nearby → Malacca and Taiwan Strait.

  • Strategic issue → Territorial and EEZ disputes.

  • Major legal framework → UNCLOS.

  • 2016 → Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in Philippines-China arbitration.