South China Sea
There has long been a collection of laws and treaties that
address how the world’s oceans and waterways are managed. Additionally, many countries enforce
air defense zones over water they have claimed. There are international treaties, global agreements,
regional agreements, and even water specific treaties. Yet this system is under unique
challenges. As technological
advancements are made in extracting resources from oceans and seas, countries
are engaged in expanding territorial claims.
The Western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea are the
location of a simmering international issue. India, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, and China are now contesting long held territorial
claims. Beyond the historically
established spheres of influence and territorial claims to which each country in
the world has right, there are new claims that hold great geopolitical
implications.
Who has the right to exploit the oil, and other natural
resources abundant in this region?
The answer may well determine the economic and military future for these
(and other) countries for many
years to come. All countries have
interest in this resolution for future such claims they may themselves make,
and immediate interest based on trade partners, and their collective
economies.
Six countries claim conflicting territorial rights in the
South China Sea in particular, a region rich in oil, gas, fishing and mineral resources. See the link:
Thus the question before the conference is, “How should
claims to natural resources in international waterways, and all future such
claims, be resolved?
1. Should territorial claims be
awarded to the country that first laid claim?
2. Should territorial claims be
awarded based on historical precedent?
(if so, how far back is appropriate?)
3. Is a new, reasonable and just
resolution system best, and what should it be, given the technological
capabilities the world has today?
