EQ3 ; Territorial claims and Spheres of influence keywords

Question 1

define superpower

Answer 1

Nation or group of nations with a leading position in international politics, economy and social culture.

Question 2

South China Sea ; spratly islands ;

who is the dispute between and what is the dispute over?

Answer 2

• between Brunei, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam
• a dispute since 1974 and continuing as SCS consists of an opportunity for nations to exploit the potential of crude oil and natural gas underneath the waters of various parts of SCS, along with strategic control over important shipping lanes and rich fishing areas.

Question 3

South China Sea ; spratly islands;

what is china’s claim on the SCS and why does Vietnam and Taiwan reject this claim?

Answer 3

• China atm has claims over the largest proportion of the SCS by an area outlined by the ‘nine-dash line’ , Beijing now claims that this territory is historically theirs including the spratly island chain , these claims are the same as Taiwan’s, while Vietnam actively disputes china’s claim saying it has been the sovereign of the spratly islands since the 17th century.

Question 4

South China Sea ; spratly islands;

what is vietnams claim over the SCS?

Answer 4

• Vietnam claims that it has been actively controlling the sprat fly islands since the 17th century , and so it is ultimately sovereign and China has no rights to claim the spratly island chain , also providing documents as proof for their claim.

Question 5

South China Sea ; spratly islands;

what is the response by China towards these nations’ claims?

Answer 5

China has become more defensive , their claims are no longer expressed through political discussion , instead they have resorted to increasing military presence in the SCS especially on the Spratly islands , creating military bases and a 3km long aircraft runway on the Fiery Cross Reef, cause of concern for many nations and their allies like Taiwan , the US , India and Japan.

Question 6

South China Sea ; spratly islands;

US Response to china’s military presence in SCS ?

Answer 6

2014 - As a key player in maintaining SCS and Asian waters since WWII, the US began military exercises on the SCS which soon led to military escalation , now the number of US naval vessels that lie within SCS territory has increased to 10 and is predicted to continue increasing as Biden begins his transition to President.

Question 7

Tensions over the Arctic ;

who is involved and why?

Answer 7

• countries Canada, Denmark, Greenland and the US have been in dispute.
• recent tensions have been caused by increasing availability of accessible mineral wealth beneath the Arctic, together with the opening up of new transport routes.

Question 8

Tensions over the Arctic ;

what is the reason behind Russia’s claim and how have they acted upon this?

Answer 8

• 2007 , Russia had sent a submarine beneath the north pole and planted a titanium Russian flag on the seabed, staking claim to ownership of the resources there.
• Russia’s coasts accounts for up to 53% of the Arctic Ocean coastline , making Russia one of the biggest contenders for the Arctic.
• Russia continue sto carry out arctic bomber controls

Question 9

Tensions over the Arctic ;

What is Canada’s claim and how have they acted upon this?

Answer 9

• Although it hasn’t claimed the whole of the Arctic, Canada filed a claim for a proportion of the Arctic continental shelf in 2013 and Since 2002, Canada has carried out military exercises in the Arctic and has installed up to 8 Arctic patrol ships with future outlook of expansion in the Arctic.

Question 10

Tensions over the Arctic ;

What is Denmark’s claim over the Arctic, any actions taken for this?

Answer 10

• Denmark claims that Greenland, a state. of Denmark accounts for a proportion of the arctic and Denmark controls a large prop of the Arctic Ocean , therefore Denmark should have a claim over a prop. of the Arctic continental shelf
• Denmark has created an Arctic military command and a response force should they ever need to come into use.

Question 11

Tensions over the Arctic ;

why are disputes over the Arctic continuing and how have they been managed by world organisations`?

Answer 11

• Under the UNCLOS law and international law , the North Pole and the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it are not owned by any country, however the 5 countries surrounding the Arctic are given a small proportion of the Arctic sea , but countries wish for more and continue to file claims

Question 12

Russia’s Open conflict over Eastern European territory :

Why has Russia become more defensive with regards to it’s territorial claims on neighbouring countries?

Answer 12

• Russia’s past of the USSR and it’s fall from power leaving independent soviet nations, had set a precedence for political and cultural Russian influence over rather countries.

Question 13

Russia’s Open conflict over Eastern European territory :

explain the 2014 conflict between Russia and a soviet nation?

Answer 13

• 2014 - Russia annexed Crimea and supported growing separatist movements in Ukraine in response yo Ukraines plans to open the market to the EU, Russia supplied military aid to cities, close to Russian borders, being held by pro-russian rebels and allowing aid to enter Ukraine without the govt’s approval
• The US found proof of Russia’s transference of weapons for separatists who wished to shoot down what they thought was a Ukrainian military transport, killing 283 passengers .

Question 14

Russia’s Open conflict over Eastern European territory :

How did western nations respond to the murder of the 283 passengers by separatists ?

Answer 14

• after finding proof of Russia’s involvement with separatists , economic sanctions were placed against Russia by the EU and the US , limiting Russian Banks and their ability to obtain medium and long term financing from Europe, Russia was also ousted from the G20.
• Russia responded by banning US and EU imports of foods.

Question 15

Russia’s Open conflict over Eastern European territory :

how is Russia acting today with regards to Eastern European territory?

Answer 15

• 2014 , UK, US and Russia pledged via Budapest referendum to respect Ukraines independence and sovereignty , in return for it becoming a non-nuclear state.

Question 16

Intellectual property rights and counterfeiting;

what % of global goods sold via world trade does counterfeit goods account for?

Answer 16

• counterfeit goods = up to 10% of global goods sold via global trade

Question 17

Intellectual property rights and counterfeiting;

What is IPR and why are they sig.?

Answer 17

Intellectual property rights under WTO rules as part of an international trade agreement where it protect brands and companies from fraudulent copying of products, protection from a growing internet where it’s easier to find info. to make fake products.
- countries that do not have the ability to protect IPR or have no interest in doing so are often those of emerging and developing countries.

Question 18

Intellectual property rights and counterfeiting;
How many jobs have been lost in developing countries due to counterfeiting around the world and how much has counterfeiting costed G20 countries per yr?

Answer 18

• approximately 2.5 million jobs in developed countries have been lost to counterfeiting.
• cost US $85 billion a year.

Question 19

Intellectual property rights and counterfeiting;

Why is China at the centre of blame for the majority of the world’s counterfeit culture?

Answer 19

• 2011 many countries signed the Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement, including the US and the EU , but the biggest counterfeiter China did not sign.
• Chinese banks are seen a s a save haven for counterfeiters because the govt. protects banks as a matter of national sovereignty, high profile brands like Tiffany and Gucci have filed lawsuits against these banks.

Question 20

Intellectual property rights and counterfeiting;

Has there been any direct blame placed on china via an international organisation?

Answer 20

government agency Europol has bpublicly blamed china for it’s ‘irresponsible’ role in being the source of counterfeit goods in the EU , blaming poor regulations by Hong Kong allowing it to be a transit for goods manufactured in china.