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Tensions Rising In the South China Sea

Tensions have been rising in the South China Sea, which is partly claimed by many different nations. As China’s ships and planes continue to worry nearby countries, the United States is working to balance China’s power in the area.

The South China Sea is a hugely important body of water. About a third of all of the world’s shipping passes through the South China Sea. Experts believe there are huge amounts of oil and gas buried below the sea floor. It’s also important to the fishing businesses of the countries which surround it.

The sea is located to the south of China. Though China claims that most of the South China Sea belongs to it, the sea is surrounded by many other countries, which also claim to control some part of it.

China's maritime claim (red) and UNCLOS exclusive economic zones (blue) in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is a hugely important body of water. Though China claims that most of the South China Sea belongs to it (red line above), the sea is surrounded by many other countries, which also claim to control some part of it (blue lines above).
(Source: Goran tek-en [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

In recent years, China has become bolder about using its power in the South China Sea. Other countries have complained, and even taken China to court, but that hasn’t slowed China down.

China is the most powerful country in the area. It has 1.4 billion people, a much larger military, and far more money than any nearby country. Many of the nearby countries have come to count on China for different kinds of support.

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China is the most powerful country in the area. It has 1.4 billion people, a much larger military, and far more money than any nearby country. Many of the nearby countries have come to count on China for different kinds of support.

But they also count on the US to help keep China’s power under control. The US doesn’t claim any part of the South China Sea, but it supports many of the countries that do. Since the sea is so important for shipping, the US wants to make sure that the sea remains open, and doesn’t fall under China’s control.

China and The Philippines

In early March, hundreds of Chinese ships anchored in an area belonging to the Philippines called Whitsun Reef. China claimed the area belonged to it, and said the ships had anchored there to avoid bad weather. Now, a month later, many of the Chinese ships are still there, despite many complaints by the Philippines.

Whitsun Reef
In March, hundreds of Chinese ships anchored in Whitsun Reef (seen above in a satellite image), which belongs to the Philippines. China claimed the area belonged to it. A month later, many of the Chinese ships are still there.
(Source: NASA [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

The Philippines and the US have an agreement to defend each other. But under the current president, Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has grown closer to China. Now, the relationship between the Philippines and China is very tense. It’s not clear what might happen next. But the US says it supports the Philippines.

China and Taiwan – a Short History
     In 1949, the Communists won China’s civil war, and started the People’s Republic of China (PRC) – the country commonly known as China.
     The group fighting the Communists escaped and set up their own government on the island now called Taiwan. This country is officially the Republic of China (ROC). China and Taiwan are separated by the Taiwan Strait – a strip of water that’s about 81 miles (130 kilometers) wide at its thinnest point.
     Both China and Taiwan claim that their country is the real China. China’s government says that Taiwan belongs to it. Taiwan’s government says that mainland China belongs to it. Though the US “recognizes” China as the real China, it has long supported Taiwan.
     Some people in Taiwan want to become completely separate from China. China has threatened to invade Taiwan if Taiwan ever declares independence.

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In recent weeks, China has been sending warships to take part in activities near Taiwan. It has also repeatedly sent jets into Taiwan’s airspace. Above, Chinese ships in the South China Sea in 2017.

China and Taiwan

In recent weeks, China has been sending warships to take part in activities near Taiwan. It has also repeatedly sent jets into Taiwan’s airspace. Some people say that China is closer to invading Taiwan than most people believe.

In response to China’s actions, the US has sent warships through the South China Sea. The US says its goal is to make sure that the sea remains open for shipping traffic. The US is also sending out planes. The moves are meant to show that the US is willing to stand up to China.

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 fly over the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea Feb. 9, 2021.
The US has sent warships with planes through the South China Sea (above, in February). The US says its goal is to make sure that the sea remains open for shipping traffic. The moves are meant to show that the US is willing to stand up to China.
(Source: Deirdre Marsac/US Navy U.S. Pacific Fleet, via Flickr.com.)

Many people believe that China is testing America’s new president, Joe Biden, to see how he will react. Because a conflict could have terrible effects, it’s likely that the US will try to find a middle path: a way to stand up to China’s bullying without starting an actual conflict.


Did You Know…?
One thing keeping the Philippines from reacting more strongly is that the country depends on China for its Covid-19  vaccines, and it is hoping to get more of them.

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