From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Flashpoint Reef
Why in the News?
China reasserted its claim over Flashpoint Reef (the Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea following Philippines’ establishment of defined sea boundaries.
Do you know?
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About the Flashpoint Reef
- It generally refers to Scarborough Shoal, a contested reef in the South China Sea.
- Known as Huangyan Dao in China, this reef has become a focal point of territorial disputes between China and the Philippines.
- It lies close to the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but is also claimed by China, which asserts control over nearly the entire South China Sea under its nine-dash line claim.
- China took control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines, despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 that invalidated China’s claims.
Its significance in the South China Sea
- It is strategically located near key shipping lanes that are essential for global trade, with about one-third of global shipping passing through the South China Sea.
- Its proximity to the Philippines, Vietnam, and China makes it an ideal location for military outposts, providing control over surrounding waters and a base for monitoring activities in the region.
- Control over Scarborough Shoal could allow China to extend its air and naval reach, reinforcing its influence and deterrence capabilities over other Southeast Asian nations.
- The South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal, is believed to hold vast reserves of oil and natural gas—up to 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
- This reef is strategically important due to its proximity to rich fishing grounds and potential undersea mineral resources.
PYQ:[2011] 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 preeminent maritime character |
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