By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
China recently warned neighboring countries in the South China Sea to avoid being swayed by Washington’s “geopolitical self-interest” and to preserve their independence in order to ensure stability in the area, according to a recent report in the South China Morning Post.
The South China Sea, a critical global trade route, is currently at the center of intense geopolitical tensions primarily involving China, its neighboring countries, and the United States. This region has become a hotspot not only because of its strategic maritime routes but also due to its rich natural resources. The dispute involves complex legal, military, and diplomatic dimensions, with the primary actors using a mix of historical claims, international law, and military presence to assert their interests.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the U.S. has been exacerbating tensions by aligning with Philippine maneuvers perceived as provocative. This critique came in response to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where according to a Philippine news outlet, DZRH, he condemned what he described as “illegal coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions” in the area, indirectly referencing Beijing amid ongoing territorial disputes.
China’s stance was unyieldingly pointed. The foreign ministry labeled the U.S. actions as not only unwelcome but “extremely dishonorable,” accusing Washington of exploiting the situation for geopolitical gain. This assertion aligns with a broader narrative from Beijing which portrays the U.S. as a disruptor of regional stability, more interested in its strategic interests than in genuine peacekeeping.
During his discourse, President Marcos emphasized adherence to international legal frameworks, invoking the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling which dismissed China’s expansive territorial claims—a ruling Beijing continues to reject vehemently. China maintains that the initiation of arbitration by Manila, without its consent, breached international protocols, thereby rendering the proceedings and their outcomes null in its eyes.
On the defense diplomacy front, significant encounters took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Chinese and U.S. defense chiefs met, underscoring the ongoing tension and the global stakes involved. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the imperative of respecting freedom of navigation, a principle enshrined in international law and crucial for the South China Sea.
In 2016, an arbitral tribunal under UNCLOS ruled against China’s expansive maritime claims, particularly dismissing the legal basis of the “nine-dash line”. The ruling was in favor of the Philippines, one of the key challengers of China’s claims. However, China did not recognize the ruling, declaring it null and void, and continued its activities in the region, which many consider a defiance of international law.
Moreover, China accused the U.S. of militarizing the region, particularly pointing to American military activities near the Second Thomas Shoal and the deployment of missile systems in the Philippines, framing these actions as direct threats to regional security. Conversely, the U.S. stance remains steadfast, committed to supporting Southeast Asian nations in maintaining navigational freedoms and resisting coercive claims by Beijing.
The South China Sea issue remains one of the most complicated geopolitical conflicts today, involving a blend of historical claims, national interests, international law, and great power rivalry. While the legal and diplomatic efforts continue to play out, the shadow of military power looms large, suggesting that any resolution must involve a delicate balance of these various elements. Both regional players and global powers like the US will need to navigate these waters with a mix of strategic patience and readiness to engage in multilateral diplomacy to ensure peace and stability in the region.
