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Case Study → Tensions Over Territory and Physical Resources - South and East China Seas Simplified Revision Notes

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Case Study → Tensions Over Territory and Physical Resources - South and East China Seas

Context China trying to gain a bigger sphere of influence through the Island Chain strategy
○ Trying to control its coastline by also controlling island chains nearby
● China's actions referred to as the Great Wall of Sand
● Has launched aircraft carriers to the islands in 2012, 2019 and likely between
2021-2023
○ Possibility China is planning further nuclear-powered carriers being
launched in the late 2020s
● Seen as a power play to provoke the USA
● Seen as an attempt to gain control of the resource rich area (oil and gas)
● Major trade pinch point
The resopose● US sent patrol boats
Problems with
the policy
● A lot of the areas China wants to occupy are very disputed
Why China wants
the islands
● The islands cover areas China see as militarily important to defend
● The islands could be economically important as they may harbour oil and gas
reserves
Deserted islands
China has
occupied
Strategy: To occupy deserted islands and to artificially build larger/new islands
2014 • China began construction of a an airport on reclaimed land on Fiery Cross
Reef

2015 • China began the construction of a port and possibly an airport on Mischief
Reef

2015Subi Reef appeared to be being developed into a Chinese Military base
● On April 2020, China announced the creation of 2 new admin districts in the S China
seas (Xisha in the Paracel Islands and Nansha covering the Spartly Islands, both of
which are claimed by Vietnam)
○ This significantly raised the stakes in an already tense region
                                                                  Tensions Over Territory
  •                                                              Tensions Over Territory*
    
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