By Kartik Lokhande
China
is ‘poised to take de facto control’ of South China Sea. This warning
by Philippines must be taken in all its seriousness by all the
countries of the world and not only the Association of South-East Asian
Nations (ASEAN). For, whatever steps China has been taking especially
over the past few years in the global political economy, are well in
tune with her ‘vision’ of realising her ambitions of territorial
domination.
While sounding the alarm over China’s ambitions in South
China Sea, Philippines has also called on the members of ASEAN to
‘stand up’ to China. The concern expressed by Philippines has its roots
in some latest ‘reclamation’ works taken up by China in disputed South
China Sea, and especially at Spratly Islands. China has been dredging
seven reefs. At some places, multi-storeyed structures have come up and
at others the infrastructure development is adequate enough for docking
of military ships. As per the reports, at one reef China is developing a
runway capable of handling movement of military airplanes.
As far
as China is concerned, all these developments are in its ‘sovereign
territory’. However, if one considers her neighbours in South China Sea,
the claim is contested. Apart from Philippines, the other neighbours
involved in the matter are Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia. However,
of these, only Philippines and Vietnam have staked claims to major
island chains in South China Sea. Malaysia and Brunei have minor claims,
and China and Taiwan have claimed almost entire South China Sea. Of the
countries involved in the dispute, only China has been expansionist in
its actions, giving a damn to international conventions and laws. China
wants the ‘international community’ to consider her historic rights over
the territory, and refuses to accept jurisdiction of the International
Tribunal for Law of the Sea, to which Philippines has approached.
China
has been successful to a great extent in keeping the major world powers
like the United States and India out of the South China Sea dispute.
Whenever she noticed that the nations involved in the dispute were
making a friendly gesture at the US or India, China raised strong
objections to such friendships. China’s reservations to India carrying
out oil exploration work in South China Sea, or objection to likely
intervention of the US indicate that China wants to have tighter control
over the sea. For, gaining control over South China Sea holds special
significance for China as far as ensuring its oil/energy security
without having to depend on transportation through Indian Ocean. South
China Sea is resource-rich, and in today’s competitive world, control
over sea lines of transportation and oil security are keywords for any
nation wanting to gain upper hand in world politics, from strategy and
economy points of view.
Of course, China has not depended only on
South China Sea claims. It has successfully planted ‘String of Pearls’
in nations touching the Indian Ocean Region. India woke up to this harsh
reality and started countering the Chinese strategy by way of reviving
‘cultural empire’ and reclaiming her spiritual ties with neighbouring as
well as far-off nations. Sensing this, China focussed on construction
of Gwadar port in Pakistan to secure oil supply for herself. From the
Gwadar port to mainland China, oil is proposed to be carried through a
network of rail route and pipelines. However, increasing worries for
China, India has resumed seriously the task of striking a deal with Iran
for developing Chabahar port. This may keep in check China’s activities
from Gwadar port. Also, there is resentment about lack of positive
impact of the port development on the lives of locals in Gwadar,
something which is troubling Pakistan Government.
Against this
backdrop, it is all the more important for China to have its tighter
control over resource-rich South China Sea to ensure her oil security.
Compared to Indian Ocean Region, the countries in South China Sea board
are geographically and militarily smaller in expanse vis-a-vis China.
Keeping in view the expansionist agenda of China, it is high time that
major powers of the world including India lend an ear to the warning
sounded by Philippines and take appropriate measures -- strategic and
diplomatic -- to strengthen bond with nations other than China involved
in South China Sea dispute. Such measures will help India
counter-balance China’s growing influence in nations neighbouring her.
Considering the present-day geopolitical situation, India has to prepare
herself for playing this game of ‘Chinese Checkers’ with only success
in mind.
(April 26, 2015)
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