In previous articles (China’s Second Great Wall: Part 1 and Part 2) we reported on China’s growing man-made islands which came to life in 2014. Construction was initially noted when dredging of sand and dirt was done around the natural Spratly Islands, disturbing hundreds of acres of coral reefs. The land reclamation project, as China calls it, now boasts a total of 7 man-made islands, the largest being a monumental 4 square kilometers spanning over what used to be coral reefs. The project has caused tension between bordering countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Developments have taken place in the heated Spratly Islands territorial dispute, with many neighbouring countries voicing their outcry and taking a very active role against China’s expansionist actions. Countries such as the United States, the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan have made their own moves in this tense game of political chess. China has continued to take a stand on the Spratlys dispute, and has not halted any of the construction on the island.
The Philippines in particular has brought the Spratlys Dispute into the United Nations Court. After almost two years of preparations and extensive research, a team from Manila has brought to the United Nations a one thousand-page-long memorial and case to present to a 5-person tribunal at The Hague. The case is meant to ensure that the claimant countries involved in the Spratlys dispute honour treaty commitments that they have signed, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan have sent observers to the hearings; China however has refused to participate altogether claiming it does not want “outsiders” to influence what it claims to be its indisputable sovereignty on the South China Sea. China has vehemently opposed the Philippines’ choice to bring the case to the UN Court.
The Philippines have also taken actions to bolster its defenses on the West Philippine Sea and along the disputed islands where they have their own claims. It recently announced the reopening of a former US naval base in Subic Bay for military use in response to China’s expansionism. The Philippines has stated that new fighter jets and frigates will be stationed at the base in the near future. There has also been increased security co-operation with the United States, Japan, and Vietnam. The Philippine military have also announced plans to spend approximately $20 billion over the next 13 years to modernize its armed forces. They have already purchased FA-50 light fighters from Korea earlier this year. The Philippines have also started repairs on the Seirra Madre, a WWII-era ship that was purposely grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal (also called Ayungin Shoal) back in 1999 in response to former dispute with China in the area.
Japan has also made moves to challenge China, in particular with the development on Fiery Cross Reef, one of the seven artificial islands. In Japan’s upcoming annual defense white paper, an accusation will be made on China regarding its unfair treatment and dealings with neighbouring countries. It has become increasingly clear to Japan that China’s construction projects on the islands are military in nature. The paper will directly call China out on their reclamation work in the Spratly Islands. The announcement of the defense white paper comes hand in hand with Japan’s recent passing of legislation that will allow the country to participate and engage in collective self-defence, a first in its history since WWII. The statement on this year’s white paper will also further build on an assertion Japan made in the previous year’s white paper that accused China of changing the status quo in South East Asia by means of force. Japan’s Self-Defence Force (SDF) has also become more active in the region in the last year. Later this year, Japan’s SDF will participate for the first time in the US-Australian military joint-drills. It is also reported that Japan and the Philippines are in negotiations regarding a deal that would allow the SDF access to Philippine military bases.
On this side of the world, the United States have paid close attention to the unfolding events in the South China Sea. Recently U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, rejected a neutral stance for the U.S. on the South China Sea. He announced that the U.S. will take a strong stance if China is found to have acted illegally. “We are not neutral when it comes to adhering to international law. We will come down forcefully when it comes to following the rules” Russel announced, adding that the U.S. continued to advocate for co-operation and peaceful resolution to the disputes. Admiral Scott Swift, the new commander of the US Pacific Fleet, joined a seven-hour spying mission aboard a P-8A Poseidon plane a week ago. China has warned the US continuously in regards to their continued surveillance on the Spratly Islands. Washington however, does not recognize China’s sovereignty in the disputed region, and treats it as such. Admiral Swift has also stated in response that the P-8A flight was routine patrol, well under the US jurisdiction. “We have forces deployed throughout the region to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to freedom of navigation” Admiral Swift added. Washington has repeatedly insisted that China halt its land reclamation and militarization of the disputed region.
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