It is often declared that all the territories of the world have been discovered and conquered. However, recent developments in the South China Sea might begin to suggest otherwise. Evidence is appearing that China is constructing a number of island territories that are acting as key actors in a fierce geopolitical struggle. Situated south of mainland China, east of Vietnam and Cambodia and west of the Philippines, the South China Sea is increasingly becoming a vital strategic space. In particular, a small group of islands known as the 'Spratly Islands' are undergoing a transformation thanks, in part, to the dramatic actions of the Chinese Government. GPS tracking data and satellite photos show that China have been reclaiming large areas of land around selected reefs since September 2013 by dredging tonnes of rock and sand. One such reef, Johnson South Reef, is the location of plans, released by the China State Shipbuilding Coronation (CSSC), to create a brand new runway and airbase. As Boris Johnson’s grand plans to build a new airport in the Thames Estuary float away in tatters, I can only imagine his envy, as China begin to literally create new territory. There are two significant reasons that might explain why China is pursuing such an expensive and expansionist policy. Firstly, estimates suggest that the South China Sea has reserves of up to 7.7bn barrels of oil and natural gas. Secondly, the South China Sea is of geopolitical strategic importance to China both regionally and globally. China feel increasingly vulnerable as the US Pacific Fleet continue to sail through the area, and moreover, the US Government refuses to acknowledge China’s claim to the area. With this in mind, it comes as little surprise that the reclaiming of Johnson South Reef is thought to be a step forward to the declaration of a Chinese ‘air defence identification zone’. Such developments partly explain why China is currently building naval ships and submarines faster than any other country in the world. This territorial reclaiming by China is deeply opposed by the government of the Philippines who similarly claim much of the area around the Spratly Islands. Relations have deteriorated so much recently that the Philippines have submitted a complaint to the UN regarding China’s actions. US Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, recently claimed that the US hold a neutral stance on the matter. However, the action of the US foreign policy would suggest otherwise. The US Department of State recently requested the approval of $40mn from US Congress to boost the maritime security of the Philippines. This funding will dramatically modernize the Philippine’s current limited maritime resources, seeing a 57% increase in funding from just $25.5mn in 2013. This boosting of the Philippines maritime resources clearly acts to counter China’s territorial movements. The creation of new territory reflects a smart strategy by China to both counter US influence through physical land and security but, also manipulate international law. The legislation in question is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. This details how submerged features in the sea cannot be claimed by any party and more importantly “rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf”. Therefore through the creation of new ‘islands’ China can, according to international law, hugely bolster their claim for much larger areas of the sea. Such a move helps China move towards its objective of dominating what it calls the ‘first island chain’ and ensuring its security in the region. These geopolitical developments are a fascinating example of how geopolitics is often played out through the physicality of territory. The case of the Spratly Islands draws a nice connection between Phil Steinberg's work on the materiality of territory, and Stuart Elden's work on territory as a political technology. The case of Johnson South Reef brings new examples of how territory can be calculated, formed and defined. Moreover, the geopolitical power play at work in the South China Sea reaffirms the importance of the materiality of territory as a geopolitical tool.
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August 2015
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