An important and contentious waterway, the South China Sea has turned into a flashpoint for global conflicts. Recently, Vietnam and the Philippines have taken significant steps to assert their claims. By asking the United Nations to extend their maritime boundaries. This article explores the latest developments and their potential impacts.
What Are the Latest Submissions?
In July 2024, Vietnam proposed to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). That its maritime boundary should extend beyond 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its coast. This follows a similar submission by the Philippines in June. Both countries are seeking recognition for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in parts of the South China Sea. Which are already claimed by multiple nations, including China.
What Is the Continental Shelf?
The continental shelf is the underwater extension of a country’s landmass. Normally, the area up to 200 nautical miles from a nation’s coast is considered its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Where it has rights to natural resources. Beyond this, a country must prove that its continental shelf extends further. The CLCS evaluates these assertions in light of scientific evidence and offers suggestions.
Challenges and Complications
The CLCS only reviews ECS submissions if they are not involved in ongoing territorial disputes. Because the South China Sea is highly contested, the CLCS may not actively review these recent submissions. This is because the proposed extensions often overlap with claims from other nations, including China.
Why Are These Claims Important?
If Vietnam or the Philippines successfully extends their ECS, they could gain exclusive rights to valuable resources like oil and gas. However, these claims add complexity to the already tense situation in the South China Sea. For China, which has expansive claims in the region. Based on the controversial “nine-dash line,” these submissions could pose a significant challenge.
What Do Experts Say?
Chinese experts are closely watching these developments. They believe that as more ECS claims are made. The situation will become even more complicated. An anonymous expert from Guangzhou warned that these claims could lead to increased verbal disputes among the claimant nations.
Liu Dan, a researcher from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, noted that even uncontested ECS submissions can take years for the CLCS to review. The act of filing a claim can still be beneficial for countries like the Philippines. It can help them gain international support and reinforce their position in the dispute.
Role of Past Arbitration in the South China Sea Conflict
The Philippines continues its legal strategy with the ECS submission. This previously led to a 2016 arbitration ruling in its favour. Beijing has rejected this ruling. By including their ECS claim, Manila aims to strengthen its position and apply pressure on China.
Vietnam’s move is seen as a response to the Philippines’ submission. Experts suggest that Vietnam might be timing its claim to avoid drawing too much attention from China. Which is currently focused on the Philippines’ actions.
Potential Reactions and Future Moves
The ECS claims might encourage other nations with interests in the South China Sea to make their own submissions. This could lead to a broader pattern of claims and counterclaims. Thus complicating the situation further.
China has not yet submitted its own ECS claims. Partly because it has not defined its baselines in the South China Sea. This makes it difficult to determine the exact extent of its maritime territory. Without clear baselines, China’s claims, including the nine-dash line, remain ambiguous and contested.
The Way Forward
Experts say that resolving South China Sea disputes will need negotiations between the claimant countries. The ECS submissions by Vietnam and the Philippines are part of their strategy to assert their claims and gain an advantage.
In summary, the new ECS claims by Vietnam and the Philippines make the South China Sea disputes even more complicated. These countries make claims that others review and contest. The world must keep a close watch and work on diplomatic solutions. In order to reduce tensions in this important area.