Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
South China Sea Dispute, SCS Economic Zone, Role of South China Sea in World Trade
South China Sea, SCS Economic Zone, Dispute, Disputed Territory, Main Dispute, Role of South China Sea in World Trade
The South China Sea links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and is a critical shipping channel about half the world’s merchant ships pass through the South China Sea.
Keeping the South China Sea open for commercial navigation is a top priority for both the United States and China.
If China controlled the sea, it would likely limit the military navigation of foreign countries.
The region has proven oil reserves of around 1.2 km⊃3 (7.7 billion barrels), with an estimate of 4.5 km⊃3 (28 billion barrels) in total.
Natural gas reserves are estimated to total around 7,500 km⊃3 (266 trillion cubic feet).
The South China Sea returned to China from Japanese occupation and the 11 dash lines had never been a problem unit the discovery of oil reserve underneath the South China Sea.
After it was found that there is a huge energy reserve underneath the South China Sea, Vietnam broke into the 9 dashed line and claim some islands.
The three countries built many artificial islands within the 9 dash line and made a profit from the extraction of oil and gas from the South China Sea.
The USA has signed a treaty with countries like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam to protect from all Foreign threats. China is the main threat to all these countries.
The U.S. has an interest in freedom of navigation, as some of its trade passes through the South China Sea.
China nowadays expanding its territory in the South China Sea by building artificial islands.
