Conflict Over Territory and Resources

Question 1

Who claims sovereignty over the South China Sea? (7)

Answer 1

1. Brunei
2. China
3. Malaysia
4. Indonesia
5. The Philippines
6. Taiwan
7. Vietnam

Question 2

Why do many countries want sovereignty over the South China Sea?

Answer 2

To have control over its vast natural resources

Question 3

How many barrels of oil and how much natural gas is in the South China Sea?

Answer 3

11 million barrels of oil and 190 million cubic feet of natural gas

Question 4

What did Vladimir Putin give as a reason for annexing Crimea?

Answer 4

The need to protect Russian citizens and Russian speakers in Crimea and Southeast Ukraine

Question 5

Which areas of Ukraine declared independence after a referendum, two months after the invasion?

Answer 5

Donetsk and Luhansk

Question 6

What did Russia invade Ukraine?

Answer 6

March 2014

Question 7

How many have died in the conflict in Ukraine since March 2014?

Answer 7

over 10,000 with about 3,000 of them being civilians

Question 8

What have the Ukraine and NATO reported after the conflict with Russia began?

Answer 8

a build up of Russia troops on the boarder

Question 9

What have been the implications of the dispute over the South China Sea?

Answer 9

1. China’s construction of artificial islands has caused harm to coral reef ecosystem
2. 10% of reefs in Spartly archipelago and 8% of those in the parcel islands have been destroyed

Question 10

How much coral has been paved over?

Answer 10

22 square miles

Question 11

Impacts of the conflict in Ukraine? (4)

Answer 11

1. Heightened ethnic tensions
2. Violence in eastern Ukraine killing 9,500 and injuring 22,000
3. Ukraine and NATO reported build up of Russion troops on border
4. July 2014 Malaysian Airline flight

Question 12

Description of the conflict in Ukraine?

Answer 12

In March 2014, Russian troops took control of Crimean region, before formally annexing it after vote of Crimea to join Russia.

Question 13

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Answer 13

They cited need to protect rights of Russian citizens and speakers in Crimea. Russia wants to prevent former USSR states from close relationships with the west

Question 14

Why are many countries interested in the arctic?

Answer 14

it has 84% of all the worlds remaining natural gas, ice melting has resulted in more of the ocean floor and hence gas accessible

Question 15

Why are some countries opposed to the exploitation of the arctic for oil?

Answer 15

environmental reasons