SOUTH CHINA SEA: BONE OF CONTENTION & ITS IMPLICATIONS
With growing Chinese power the chances of conflict in the region have increased too, be it the rising border tensions between India and China in the Himalayan region or the persistent threat of Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The continuous danger of another war front like that of Ukraine has alarmed the global community around China, especially the South China Sea, which has been an apple of discord for the whole region. China claims almost 90% of the sea unilaterally which directly violates the sovereignty of the coastal nations of the region like Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Beijing utilising its power is militarizing the sea by building military installations in the artificial islands around the water body. These Chinese actions are closely monitored by other major players in the region like India and the US. These outside players are challenging the claims of China in the name of freedom of navigation and Beijing is looking at it as a direct threat to its sovereignty to preserve its strategic needs Beijing is openly breaking the international law of the waters.
South China Sea, Nine Dash Line, Artificial Islands, Special Economic Zone, Spratly and Paracel Island.