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.