• UGI USER
  • Nov 08, 2023
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United States- China Relation

Why in the news?

  • The United States and China engaged in talks regarding maritime issues, with a focus on the South China Sea dispute.
  • The US expressed its concerns about what it sees as dangerous and unlawful actions by China in the South China Sea.
  • This meeting follows recent high-level diplomatic efforts in anticipation of an upcoming meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the mid-November APEC summit in San Francisco.

South China Sea Dispute

  • The South China Sea is a region of maritime and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia, involving several nations.
  • Key claimants to various parts of the South China Sea include China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
  • Disputes: The disputes revolve around territorial claims and access to vital sea routes, rich fishing grounds, and potential oil and gas reserves.
  • China’s claim, known as the “nine-dash line,” encompasses most of the South China Sea, overlapping with the claims of other nations.
  • Chinese actions: China has pursued an assertive strategy by constructing artificial islands, military facilities, and conducting naval patrols in disputed areas.
  • An international tribunal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, ruled in 2016 that China’s claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • Despite the ruling, China has continued its activities in the region. Tensions have led to incidents, including confrontations between naval vessels and increased militarization of disputed islands.
  • The U.S. Response: The United States has shown support for its allies in the region, conducting Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) to challenge China’s maritime claims.
  • Diplomatic efforts continue, but the South China Sea remains a complex and potentially volatile issue in international relations.