Artificial Chinese Islands in the South China Sea
To: President Joe Biden
From: USFP Group 1 Foreign Policy
Re: The Biden Administration
Issue: Artificial Chinese Islands in the South China Sea
Executive Summary
China’s continued claims over the South China Sea have threatened the diplomatic, economic, and military sovereignty of the surrounding nations, and as such has threatened the global supply to many goods that pass through this region. The United States has continued to deny these territorial claims as they are against international law, but there have limited results from previous actions taken. It is recommended that United States continue to build a case within international systems against Chinese claims and to encourage relationships with nations in the immediate region.
Analysis
Since about 2014, Chinese officials have been giving the greenlight to and supplying resources to build artificial islands within the South China Sea. These land masses were created by dredging and building up soil, sand, and rocks to create new man-made islands spanning roughly 3200 acres total. By doing so, not only does this raise questions about the ecological concerns of adding additional islands in the sea and disrupting the natural balance, but this also adds to China’s territorial and military claims and capabilities. The South China Sea has many parts under the maritime claim of several Asian countries, however, by adding in new islands, China is able to have more claim over the man-made land masses and the surrounding waters around them, boosting their territory ranges, where before they would have no real claim over the area.
On top of this, the reasoning for building the islands is also cause for concern. Much of the new islands are being used to house military supplies, bases, and other facilities. It is unclear exactly what is being housed there, but some naval training facilities and radar systems are a strong possibility. The increase in islands may be a military flexing move for China, to show off their robust army and it’s capabilities to scare off possible enemies. As of now, there is no imminent threat or active military interventions occuring, but the islands are being used to maximize military presence in the South China Sea.
By increasing territorial claim over the South China Sea, China has also wedged themselves in the middle of an extremely popular maritime trade route. Many countries use the South China Sea to import and export products overseas, and they often travel through areas nearby to the new islands. By laying down new lands within the sea, China now has the ability to seize control of trade through the area should that territory be found legally under their ownership. As of 2016 however, an international tribunal stated that China has no legal claim over the South CHina sea and the creating of the islands as a territory grab was done illegally, however the land masses are still there and in active use by the Chinese military.
Relation to National Interest
In terms of national interest, the situation in the South China Sea has a lot of implications for American national interest. The United States is in a position where we are losing ground as the sole world superpower to countries such as India, China, and Russia. China is the biggest threat to the United States position as sole world power.
The artificial islands being built in the South China Sea allow China to control trade traveling through the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the most heavily trafficked trade routes in the world. Almost a third of global crude oil and over half of global liquefied natural gas pass through the South China Sea each year. This has two effects, first, it strengthens the Chinese economy even more and closes the gap between the Chinese economy and America's economy further. Secondly, it hurts the economies of United States allies in the South China Sea such as Japan.
As previously mentioned, these islands are militarized. Economics aside, these islands are a military threat to American allies and American fleets in the Pacific. The Chinese are dedicated to creating a safety net of short to medium range missile defense systems to combat any American military capabilities in the region. The islands bolster this capability by extending the distance from mainland China these missile systems can be placed.
General Policy Options
1. Work with the United Nations to ratify United Nations convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to enforce its tenants in order to establish greater protections and requirements for territorial claims to be made. A challenge that presents itself with Chinese claims is that there is limited assistance provided to the countries who fall within the operation of China’s expansion. The “Nine Dash Line'' represents the 2000 km perimeter of these claims over land and significant features within and is in direct opposition to sovereign waters of other nations. UNCLOS established a 14 mile jurisdiction for all water bordering the coastal states, and this line directly interferes with several nation’s territorial claims. The United States must firmly encourage the upholding of these laws and, even if the islands and reefs are ceded, the requirement of territorial waters remains tied to the actual land masses rather than arbitrary claims of a state. Additionally, UNCLOS must be brought before the UN to protect future claims made by any country with colonial aspirations of territorial expansion into ocean regions. By ensuring that international law is upheld, especially following the violation of law by the Russian Federation, it will discourage any further action taken to limit the access of these resources and hopefully limit the further growth of these claims.
2. Increase diplomatic and military presence in the South China Sea and bolster influence with strategic alliances. The primary goals of China expansionism appear to be not only territorial, but strategic in trade and potential military escalation with Taiwan. Several countries negatively affected by the expansion of China see the threat as purely economic, with many trade lanes, fishing regions, and natural resources present in the encroached upon area. The claims made that the entirety of this region prevent these nations from effectively operating in the global arena and limit the overall abilities of these nations to prosper. Territorial claims are backed by the construction of artificial islands and military presence, but for China these claims reach far South of China’s most southern contiguous point. With the Paracel Islands, Scarborough Shoal, and the Spratly Islands all in close proximity to other countries, ensuring that no rash action is taken by the Chinese military to expel any activity through forcible means. By activating and effectively completing freedom of navigation exercises, the US can further establish a physical presence in the region indicating the dissonance from the historical Chinese claims, as well as ensure that Southeast Asian nations can establish their own presence in the sea and repel any claims due to military presence and superiority.
3. The United States can establish a greater area of economic focus to the South China Sea and increase ties with Southeast Asian nations. By doing so, there will become a greater disconnect between these nations and the influence of China which can result in dissent with the plans of Chinese expansion towards their nations. By providing an alternative economic power to work with, these nations will no longer feel the need to follow the current state of affairs and reject these claims in regional diplomacy. US investment in this region through natural gas and mineral extraction could be an effective method as it would provide direct competition to China and allow for the nations facing these challenges to gain economic advantage.
Recommendation
Our recommendation remains consistent with previous ones by encouraging further diplomatic relations with China and to promote peaceful relations in the region through continued diplomatic pressures and military operations.
Works Cited
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-114shrg27231/html/CHRG-114shrg27231.htm
https://warontherocks.com/2020/07/what-options-are-on-the-table-in-the-south-china-sea/
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea
https://warontherocks.com/2020/11/how-biden-should-handle-the-south-china-sea-disputes/
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis was a good memo and was particularly interesting to read. The issues in the South China Sea are something that are interesting to me and I like learning about it. The impact that these man made islands have on the American economy and their allies is certainly alarming. The fact that many resources, such as oil, flow through this area where the islands are is especially concerning to think about. Likewise, seeing China "expand their territory" is scary to think about as the gap between the U.S. and China as a world power continues to diminish. I am not sure how well the UNCLOS will work with China as they really have the final say it would seem. Can they really be forced off the islands? Theoretically they could just stand their ground and not move. The one concern with increasing military presence in that region would be the possible blow up that could happen. Tensions with China are already high, so this could push them to a higher level. I do like your idea of providing economic competition in the region as it seems like that could be effective. When using this approach, could you combine it with placing extra sanctions on Chinese resources seen in this area in an attempt to limit your own spending in the region, and possibly other countries?
This was a very detailed memo. It did a solid job of giving proper context to this issue, along with laying out routes for the Biden Administration to potentially take. To me, it is scary that the Chinese are artificially erecting islands in the South China Sea, all in a power move to claim more of the straight where much of world trade passes through. Worse is the international conflict it could spark between other nations in the South China Sea, especially the Philippines. In terms of Policy Options, I would lean more towards implementing option 1, or option 3, over option 2. A greater military presence in the South China Sea may antagonize China. Instead, reworking the UNCLOS with the United Nations and taking more diplomatic approaches would be in both the American's and the global community’s best interests. Overall, this was a very well written memo, good job
ReplyDelete-Andrew P
I was really happy to see that this was a memo topic because I think China’s military buildup in this region is very interesting, albeit alarming, and I’d like to learn more about it. Your inclusion of possible environmental impacts of island creation was a really nice addition that doesn’t seem to be discussed much. Although I agree with your recommendation of increasing diplomatic ties in this region, I worry that strategy—in conjunction with our increased military presence—would appear quite aggressive to China. I think a careful use of other strategies, the ratification of UNCLOS and focusing economically on the region, could be more successful and less risky. All in all, I really enjoyed reading:)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this memo because I am unfamiliar with the specifics of the territorial claims in the South China Sea. I think the Policy options, specifically regarding the UN are interesting to think about since China does not seem to care much about international law. In theory, working with the UN is a great idea, but the issue remains that there is little assistance to places falling under the realm of China's expansion. The second policy response about the increase in military and diplomatic presence is interesting as well, because of the contentious relationship we have with China. Again, it brings us back to the question of whether America is going there out of self-interest or to help other nations and protect them from China's expansionist goals. That is not to say we can't do both, but could our presence in China lead to violence and if so can we achieve the same goals at home?
ReplyDeleteI found the memo very insightful regarding the artificial islands and territory claims. The memo is very valuable in that it included both the domestic aspect and the international aspect of the issue. I agree with the recommended policy that the U.S. should continue diplomatic negotiations with China, however should only consider military action as a last resort, as military action may result in rising tensions and an even larger conflict.
ReplyDeleteThis memo helped explain the global consequences for China's creation of military islands. I am interested to know how the rest of the world perceives this move China, particularly the other powerful nations in Eastern Asia (South Korea, Japan, etc.). Also, what is the relationship like between the United States and the other nations in the South China Sea? What is our foreign policy towards each of these nations, and is our goal to protect these countries or simply to diminish the growing power of China's military?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of your recommendations, what specific military operations and diplomatic relations do you think would be the most beneficial to preserving United States interests? You mention a few options earlier in your memo, but what do you believe would have the greatest likelihood of securing United States interests and how would you expect China to respond? Do you think there would be any likely retaliation from China in the event that United States intervenes in their affairs in their own region?
ReplyDeleteThe memo did a great job highlighting the issues ongoing with China's island, and how there is no easy way out of this issue. The suggestions appeared to be the most reasonable ones to go with. I would have liked to see how we could counter-react if China were to retaliate against the US's actions against these island creations.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very informative memo about the events going on in the South China Sea. It is a very interesting issue as China ‘s aggressive actions are causing problems in the region. The options that you outlined in regard to the issue also made sense. I agree that the United States’ proper response should be to continue to encourage a diplomatic solution to the issue in the south China Sea. The United States should do what it can to not escalate the situation any further. This memo was very well written and interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good, informational memo and really expands my knowledge about the South China Sea. Touching on issues in the region of China, how they became apparent and eventually solved. I agree with the claim being made, and with that it will help the following issue discussed in this memo. Overall, everything was placed correctly which made it enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteI was also interested by this topic as I do not know enough about China's 'island construction' in the South China Sea. I was especially intrigued by the discussion about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, though I felt some of it was a little unclear and could have been worded stronger. The other issue with this memo was that the recommendation section appeared too vague in what it was selecting and there was no implementation section. This is definitely a good topic, though, and it will be interesting to see how this continues to unfold. -Matthew
ReplyDeleteI really liked this article as i felt that the options laid out were incredibly thorough and very pragmatic. I personally would be in favor of a mixture of all 3, which would bolster our allies, and trade partners in the region, while giving up the same leg up to protect our newly increased assets (and shipping lanes) in the region, all while trying to pass legislation to exercise our allies/ other Asian pacific countries claims.
ReplyDeleteThis memo is very informative on the issue, and agree that this issue is very concerning as the South China Sea remains such an important body of water for the world economy, as well as having been proven to have massive natural gas reserves. I particularly agree agree with option 1 which would allow the U.S. to work with the UN to reshape the UNCLOS treaty. If the UN doesn't hold states accountable for violations of the UNCLOS, then the treaty will be nothing more than a piece of paper. Whatever option the United States should implement, the U.S. should pay careful attention to whatever China's response would be, as an escalation of the issue isn't to the benefit of any party involved. Overall, this memo does an excellent job highlighting three possible options the U.S. could reasonably implement. I'm interested to see how this situation evolves, as it is still an ongoing issue.
ReplyDelete