China is Pursuing of Creeping Assertiveness in the South China Sea - Essay Example

?CHINA IS PURSUING A POLICY OF 'CREEPING ASSERTIVENESS' IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA al Affiliation) The paper is based on providing clear discussion on China’s creeping assertiveness on the South China Sea (SCS). The introductory part gives a brief explanation on China’s economic development and what drives it to claim the SCS and other countries laying their claims on the SCS. Political and diplomatic concerns arising due to advancements of the China’s PLA Navy are also outlined in this paper. The South China Sea is an important stage in the increasing naval rivalry between Chinese and American navies (Baker 2002, p.12). It has been argued that strategists in China view the South China Sea as a throughway to the wider Pacific (from the first chain of islands). It is considered to be the only place that has the depth and expanse to baffle the Japanese and American navies’ ability to reel in the Chinese navy. In an interesting comparison of China’s maritime geography and that of imperial Germany, they argue (convincingly) that China holds an advantage (strategically) in naval competition and rivalry in the South China Sea (Bussert 2011, p.16). According to Antony (2010, p.24), the South China Sea has been identified as a weakness in the strategy of ‘peaceful rise’ that has been adopted by Beijing. The announcement by Zhou Enlai that the waters of the SCS were a ‘vital interest’, China has used its claims to the water body as a stern warning to other nations that its regional dominance could be more aggressive than is insinuated by Chinese leaders. What has been more surprising (and alarming) is the fact that it is clear Beijing has succeeded in splitting the diplomatic harmony and solidarity in ASEAN with regards to the issue. Other powers in Asia should take note because their reaction to this matter stands to play a significant strategic role in Indo-Pacific’s future landscape. If Beijing succeeds in convincing its neighbors that its increasing military power and wealth are benign, it will have magnified its dominance in the Indian and Pacific Oceans a great deal. However, if its neighbors grow wary, mixing their tight economic integration with even tighter economic and defense relations with Japan, India, America and each other, China will lose the ability and influence to pursue more dominance (Wang 2009, p.45). Key words; Assertiveness, South China Sea, PLA Navy Introduction China is one of the most rapidly economically developing nations in the world with a Growth Domestic Product of 1.8 percent expansion in the first quarter of 2012 (Clarke 2010, p.34). Historically, China’s average quarterly GDP growth has risen from 2.15 percent to a record 2.20 percent (considered the highest in history). China’s economy is rated the second largest in the world after the economy of the United States of America. In the last three decades, China’s economy has varied to a great extent from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to the international business towards a more market oriented mode which has a rapidly growing sector. A major component that supports China’s economic growth been ascribed to its high exports. In the quest to promote more economic development as well as the social advancement within the republic of China, the government has taken measures directed towards territorial protection, control and expansion (Cordesman 2007, p.31). Discussion The Chinese government has shown aggression towards territorial expansion especially the South China Sea (SCS) leading to an intensive political concerns and creation of a negative effect on the relationship between China and other countries surrounding it (Klare 2001, p.42). The Chinese government has practically claimed the South China Sea by using modes that may lead to military confrontation between China and the ASEAS such as Philippines. This condition has resulted to unresolved conflict between China and especially the Philippines over time. The claims over the South China Sea by the ASEAS and China among them is based on the prime nature of the SCS which is a semi closed portion of sea occupying an area of approximately 3,500,000 kilometers. This area is a subject to competing claims by countries such as Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. Researchers claim that economic value of the South China Sea is greater as a result of its features involving availability of gas, oil as well as sea based minerals. The exploration and advancement of these materials relies heavily on the improved world prices (Asia Times Online 2012, p.35). Additionally the region is also a rich fishing ground hence considered the centre for the future economic growth. The prime nature of the South China Sea is also extended by the fact that more than a quarter of the worlds trade pass through it. In 1995, the Chinese government expressed an act of stealth by the seizure of the Mischief reefs, Filipino fishermen discovered that China had built wooden structures possibly during the 1994 and placed armed forces (PLA Navy) as well as military vessels on the reef. This was not an open acquisition mode which faced a lot of resistance from the littoral states (Lee 2009, p.52). The Philippines condemned the act considering it inconsistent with the international law and the 1992 Manila ASEAN declaration which call upon all nations to opt for peaceful means in conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomatic means. To enhance their protection over the territorial boundaries of the South China Sea, the government spiked their spending on the military raising concerns to the United States Government who claimed that Chine should make the causes of their military advancements transparent. In 2011 the Chinese government made an announcement that it was going to double its annual spending on the military up to 14.9 percent twice more that in the last 20 years (Wang 2009, p.48). Chinese Military Revolutionary also made an announcement that it had permitted the development and advancement of an integrated, sophisticated military technology capacity projected all through the Chinese security sphere, the South China sea being among them. Such advancements especially in the PLA Navy are seen as a means to consolidate the Chinese claims over the South China Sea (Baker 2002, p.77). The Chinese government has also developed a lot of focus towards protecting shipping activities in the South China Sea which accounts for an estimated 65-75 percent energy imports shipped through the sea. A robust military presence (PLA Navy) on the South China Sea is also seen as giving China an upper hand on any future negotiation over the Paracel and Sparlty Islands located; chain of Islands rich in minerals and gas which are currently also claimed by Malaysia, Philippines and the Vietnam. The pertinence of the South China Sea, has led to a serious overhaul of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, however the specification of such military advancement are not stipulated in the Chinese Defense White Paper (Clarke 2010, p.73). The PLAN is advancing its ranks by procuring new missiles destroyers, frigates as well as well as submarines. Among the PLA Navy improvement plans involves building multiple carriers by 2020 as well as developing a new generation of warships and aircrafts to improve its defense mechanism in the South China Sea. The Chinese military modernization especially those geared towards protection of the South China Sea also raised a number of concerns among the states signatory to the ASEAN there by being perceived as a security threat. The plan to double the Chinese military expenditure within three years from 119.8 U.S billion dollars in 2011 to 238.2 U.S billion dollars by 2015 has also raised China’s assertiveness in protecting the claimed South China Sea hence raising regional security concerns about China’s intents and the challenge to United States’ primacy. Several South Eastern States have sought for fro reassurance from the United States seeking it continuation in security provision within the region (Antony 2010, p.29)The United States however responded by declaring that it has an interest in the freedom and safety of navigation. In 2009, the Vietnamese government made an attempt to claim certain features on the South China Sea by outlining a claim through submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of continental Shelf. Vietnam claimed that it withdrew its claim from the waters of the South China Sea and shifted to claim the rocks and the Islands within the region. However Vietnam did not make it clear to the commission which features were Islands and which ones were rocks under the international laws hence remained entitled to the standard 200 nautical miles (nm) EEZ and continental shelf. Vietnam’s action was seen as an attempt by the government to lay a claim on the some important features within the South China Sea in manner that would avoid military confrontation between it and other ASEAN nations. Several diplomatic approaches have also been applied between China and other ASEAN countries as a mode of conflict resolution as see between China and Vietnam (Klare 2001, p.13). China and Vietnam opted to solve their conflict diplomatically when the Chinese Vice-President held a meeting with the Vietnamese Army Chief Do Ba Ty in pursuit of friendly ties as well as promoting peace and political stability within the region. The meeting held was also meant to create dialogue between the two nations to ensure these countries joint forces and worked in partnerships to maintain peace and expand their bilateral relationships (Asia Times Online 2012, p.24). In 2011, a conference was held on the 13th of March as a means to find effective solutions that could be provided to solve disputes on the territorial claims of the South China Sea among the ASEAN countries. It was seen as a diplomatic approach and involved highlighting claims of the states involved and comprehending this claims in the context of legal framework of the 1982 United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNLOS) It was meant to illuminate disputing members such as non-claimant members state of the ASEAN could facilitate and assist in resolution of these disagreements in a peaceful manner (Lee 2009, p.28). The Australian government on the other hand has also been concerned over their security as a result China’s advancement and improved military capacity to travel extensively especially within its PLA Navy. Therefore it has opted for a diplomatic dimension in provision of solutions to the security threats posed by Chinese naval base capacity (Lee 2011, p.18). In response, the two countries have been engaging in dialogues to create ties between them as indicated by the Australian Prime Minister in a recent press conference. Some of their agreements involved Australia accepting to host more Chinese Naval Ships and accepting to increase live firing as well as other defensive activities within the Asian powerhouse in a bid to boost their ties. The two countries have also enhanced co-operation between their militaries as mentioned by the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. A dialogue was also held between the two nations (13th Annual Australia-China Defense Strategy Dialogue) purposely as an integral component of Australia’s defense engagement with China (Cordesman 2007, p.49). The dialogue facilitated the provision of an opportunity for the two countries to have a transparent and open conversation geared towards exchanging views on areas of common interests. Dr. Watt of the Australian defense force asserted that the dialogue was meant to deepen and consolidate the military defense engagement between the two nations ranging from a variety of military activities such as maritime, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief as well as senior visits and personal and professional educational exchange programs (Bussert 2011, p.85). References Antony, Robert J. 2010, Elusive pirates, pervasive smugglers: violence and clandestine trade in the Greater China Seas, Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong. Asia Times Online. Asian news hub providing the latest news and analysis from Asia. (n.d.) Asia Times Online: Asian news hub providing the latest news and analysis from Asia, Retrieved May 6, 2012, from http://www.atimes.com Baker, J. C. 2002, Cooperative monitoring in the South China Sea: Satellite Imagery, confidence building measures, and the Spratly Islands disputes, Praeger, Westport, Conn. Bussert, J. C. 2011, People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN): combat systems technology, 1949- 2010, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md. Clarke, R.2010, Chinese energy security: the myth of the PLAN's frontline status, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA. Cordesman, A. H. 2007, Chinese military modernization: force development and strategic capabilities, CSIS Press, Washington, D.C. Klare, M. T.2001, Resource wars: the new landscape of global conflict, Metropolitan Books, New York. Lee, Lai To 2009, China and the South China Sea dialogues, Praeger, Westport, Conn. Lee, Y. Y. 2011, ASEAN matters: reflecting on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, World Scientific Publication, Singapore. Wang, P. 2009, The South China Sea, Springer, Dordrecht. Read More