Contested Borders Flashcards
What is of value in the South China Sea?
Rich natural rescources; untapped oil and natural gas, and a third of the worlds trade passes through the South China Sea.
What is the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea and what are its laws?
The UNCLOS protects the rights of states sovereignty 200 miles from the coast, this area is called the Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ. States withing this area have jusrisdiction over any natural rescources and land.
What is the 9 dash line?
A line frew by China claiming around 90% of the South China Sea. This line was drawn after Japan lost control of their oceans during WWII.
Why is China building islands in the South China Sea?
China believes that by building these islands they will have greater control in the are and be able to claim the 200 miles of ocean surrouding them. They have also started to build military bases and station troops to exercise authority over other states with claims in the area.
What does the term bilateral trade mean, and what does it refer to in the context of China and the South China Sea?
Bilateral trade is an agreement between two countries to promote exchange of goods and commerece. Due to China and the Phillipines dispute over islands in the South China Sea, each country engaged in enhancement of bilateral trade to promote their diplomatic relationship.
What is the cabbage strategy?
A strategy employed by China that envolves encircling enemy territory with naval ships in order to block off trade and force surrender.
Why has the US or the UN not stepped in and stopped China?
Because they do not want to risk their diplomatic relationship with China, preferring to leave the dispute for each country to work out.
