In the news

• Recently Philippines and China Coast Guard collided with each other near the Second Thomas Shoal of the Spratly Islands in South China Sea.

About Second Thomas Shoal

• It is located approximately 105 nautical miles (195 km) west of Palawan, Philippines.
• It lies within the Philippines’ EEZ (exclusive economic zone).
• The shoal is part of the Spratly Islands, which are subject to overlapping territorial claims by multiple countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
• It is strategically significant due to its location in the South China Sea, a major maritime trade route rich in natural resources.

 What is the South China Sea Dispute?

• It is a dispute over territory and sovereignty over ocean areas, and the Paracels and the Spratlys – two island chains claimed in whole or in part by a number of countries.
• China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei all have competing claims.
• Alongside the fully-fledged islands, there are dozens of rocky outcrops, atolls, sandbanks, and reefs, such as the Scarborough Shoal.
• China claims by far the largest portion of territory – an area defined by the “nine-dash line” which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.
• Beijing says its right to the area goes hundreds of centuries to when the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation.
• It showed the two island groups falling entirely within its territory. Those claims are mirrored by Taiwan.

Spat over Chinese claims

• China has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols.
• The US says it does not take sides in territorial disputes but has sent military ships and planes near disputed islands, calling them “freedom of navigation” operations to ensure access to key shipping and air routes.
• Both sides have accused each other of “militarizing” the South China Sea.
• There are fears that the area is becoming a flashpoint, with potentially serious global consequences.

Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2011:

Q.Southeast Asia has captivated the attention of global community’ over space and time as a geostrategically significant region. Which among the following is the most convincing explanation for this global perspective?

(a) It was the hot theatre during the Second World War

(b) Its location between the Asian powers of China and India

(c) It was the arena of superpower confrontation during the Cold War period

(d) Its location between the Pacific and Indian oceans and its pre-eminent maritime character

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