China's Maritime Claims in the South China Sea: The Threat to Regional Stability and U.S. Interests

Abstract

Abstract : The South China Sea is a strategically important geographic area for the United States. As a maritime nation, the U.S. depends on the free flow of maritime traffic worldwide. The South China Sea region is one of the busiest waterways for commercial maritime trade. The U.S. and our Asian trading partners have become increasingly dependent on the flow of commodities, including petroleum through the South China Sea. China is the dominant power in Southeast Asia. The People's Republic of China (PRC), the communist government of mainland China, has maintained its claim to sovereignty over the South China Seas and the islands contained therein. The South China Sea islands are spread out over great distances in the South China Sea. Multiple nations claim sovereignty over these South China Sea islands. China's excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea are adversely affecting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and regional stability in Southeast Asia. The sovereignty claims of the People's Republic of China are the most sweeping, and directly challenge all other sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. The economic interests associated with these islands have heightened tensions in the region. The result has been various military conflicts among the island claimants over the past two decades. China's current maritime claims also violate the international law of the sea. These claims already designate large sections of the South China Sea as Chinese territorial sea, and threaten to do so for an even larger area of the sea. Chinese law associated with these claims place unlawful restrictions on free navigation.