Present and Future Maritime Security Issues in the Southeast Asian and South China Seas

Abstract

The question of maritime security in the Southeast Asian and South China Seas is of increasing importance. The re-emergence of the politics of may be found upon observing the activities of the littoral states of the South China Sea as well as the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan. The assertion of 200-mile territorial claims by the regional states, the archipelagic concepts of Indonesia and the Philippines, and the continuing debate over the Convention on the Law of the Sea are all manifestations of national as well as attempts to find structural solutions to these conflicts. The maritime areas of Southeast Asia, including the South China Sea, are of interest not only to academics but also economists, international lawyers and strategists. Major sea lines of communi cation are of major economic and security importance to all nations conducting trade in Asia across the major straits and the South China Sea. Natural resources, especially hydrocarbons, offshore minerals and fisheries are becoming increas ingly important to the regional states. China, Japan and Indonesia will increasingly rely on fish as a major source of protein. Most regional states with 200-mile exclusive economic zones (see map) believe that oil and natural gas may be found in the continental shelf areas. Offshore minerals, especially tin, may be exploited by those states with proximity and know-how. Finally, these waters and adjacent islands are and have historically been points of political and strategic friction between the neighbouring states of the region. In this paper, the following points will be discussed: 1. That natural resources to be found in maritime Southeast Asian waters, such as hydrocarbons, fish and offshore minerals, will be the focus of increased competition and friction in the future. 2. That the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defined the issues but has, so far, failed to provide a satisfactory framework for the solution of all the competing interests of the interested states. 3. That an arms build-up in the region is in progress, especially in naval-related missile-armed fast patrol craft, patrol aircraft, diesel submarines and amphibious shipping. 4. That Vietnam and China have, to date, shown less restraint in using force than the other states which have maritime claims in the region. 5. That negotiations have been held between Vietnam and Indonesia and Vietnam