May 12, 2015
The Project 2049 Institute is pleased to announce the publication of our latest Occasional paper, “Chinese Activities in the South China Sea: Implications for the American Pivot to Asia.” In this comprehensive study, Project 2049 Research Intern Kelsey Broderick examines Chinese maneuvering in the South China Sea:
“China has put itself in a clear position of power in the South China Sea. Not only is China growing its maritime forces at a rapid pace, but it is also steadily building facilities that will support an even greater and stronger force. Because UNCLOS and the DOC have no enforcement mechanism, China is able to claim and develop contested territory with impunity, including parts of the ocean itself that fall within the nine-dashed line. And lastly, China has been able to take advantage of its economic power to ensure that ASEAN and the other Southeast Asian countries not involved in the dispute will not push back against China’s growing power and presence, and in particular, its tactic of encirclement. If China’s land reclamation efforts continue unchallenged, China can slowly take control of disputed territory in the South China Sea until it controls the sea in its entirety (a tactic referred to as "salami slicing”).“
This study analyzes the background of the South China Sea dispute and the extent to which the American pivot or rebalance has influenced China’s actions in the Sea. Following an assessment of the legal definitions found in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and a look at China’s military developments, Ms. Broderick concludes with a brief discussion on how the rebalance has failed to prevent China from unilaterally changing the status quo and looks at ways the rebalance can become more effective in the future.
We hope you enjoy reading this publication, and would warmly welcome your comments and suggestions.
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