South China Sea

Question 1

Why is South China Sea important?

Answer 1

-Links Indian and Pacific Ocean, major trade route (3 trillion dollars in trade in 2016)
-Large fishing grounds and gas/oil.

Question 2

Which region is not owned but claimed by china?

Answer 2

200 mile nautical zone, Spartyls and Parcels.

Question 3

What have china done in nautical zone?

Answer 3

Made artificial Islands

Question 4

Who disagree with Chinas claims?

Answer 4

Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines, Vietnam and Brunei.

Question 5

Why are USA involved?

Answer 5

Treaty with Philippines and believe in freedom of navigation.

Question 6

What have Japan done?

Answer 6

Provided naval ships to Vietnam and Malaysia.

Question 7

What type of agreement do China want?

Answer 7

Bi-lateral

Question 8

What type of agreement do the rest want?

Answer 8

Multilateral with ASEAN, China reluctant due.

Question 9

Impact on trade of SCS conflict?

Answer 9

-Trade routes disrupted and so are supply chains, affect china due to reliance on maritime exports. = Shortages of commodities.

Question 10

Geopolitical impacts of SCS conflict?

Answer 10

-Political/ military confrontations, protectionism used as a threat
-Failure in international order as china reluctant to treaty.