The dispute over maritime territories in the Pacific has been going on for decades involving Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, China, and other neighboring countries. Many fears this is the start of world war III.
The South China Sea has long been a source of dispute among Pacific nations like Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, and Taiwan. It is an important international trading route. In the sixteenth century, the Europeans started calling it South China Sea to set it apart from other bodies of water in the area, but it does not solely belong to China.
Presently, China has claimed 90 percent of the South China Sea, much to the disapproval of neighboring countries like Vietnam and the Philippines. Why is the South China Sea important to China?
The South China Sea is an abundant source of water resources as well as natural gas. Also, an estimated $3.37 trillion worth of international trade passes through the South China Sea. China itself uses the South China Sea to import over 80 percent of energy and almost 40 percent of China’s total trade passes through the South China Sea. China has built islands in territories claimed by other nations. Like Vietnam, China has also used the waters for military exercises. Unlike Vietnam however, China takes on a more-aggressive approach in claiming ownership of the waters.
In April 2019, reports regarding ten islands built by Vietnam in the South China Sea made headlines. Vietnam was quick to subdue the international interest that followed, assuring everyone that Vietnam’s actions are defensive in nature and Vietnam has no desire to wage war over its maritime territory. As a member of the ASEAN, Vietnam is definitely not viewed as an aggressive party. ASEAN members use diplomatic approaches to settle disputes of any kind. Whether or not China will take heed of the initiatives of the ASEAN members remains to be seen.
However, other nations are already invested in the effort to keep the South China Sea free from Chinese control. Among these nations are Japan, the United States, United Kingdom, and France. These countries have pledge support in order to protect maritime territories.
Like other nations around the South China Sea, Vietnam does not look forward to further conflicts, especially another war. It can be recalled that Vietnam lost thousands of lives and livelihood during the Vietnam War. Now that it is a flourishing Asian nation, Vietnam would like to protect its waters without resulting to armed military conflicts especially with China, the largest military power in Asia.
The ASEAN hopes to resolve the disputes in time to stop further aggression from all parties involve. The international community waits with bated breath.
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