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China Escalates South China Sea Tensions
China's publication of baselines around Scarborough Shoal increases tensions with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
English
United States
International RelationsChinaIndo PacificPhilippinesSouth China SeaDispute
Chinese Foreign MinistryPhilippine Government
Ferdinand Marcos Jr
- How has the Philippines responded to China's recent actions?
- The Philippine President recently signed two laws demarcating the government's claims in the disputed waters. China considers one of these laws a violation of its sovereignty in the South China Sea and has strongly opposed it.
- What action did China recently take regarding Scarborough Shoal?
- China published baselines for Scarborough Shoal, a contested shoal in the South China Sea seized from the Philippines in 2012. This action is likely to escalate tensions over overlapping territorial claims in the region.
- What are the broader implications of this dispute for the region?
- China's claim to almost the entirety of the South China Sea is a major source of tension with several Southeast Asian nations. Scarborough Shoal is a key point of contention due to its strategic location and fishing resources.
- How does China justify its action regarding the baselines around the shoal?
- The baselines define China's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone around the shoal, a move that China claims is in accordance with UN agreements and international law. However, the Philippines and other nations contest China's claim to the shoal and much of the South China Sea.
- What is the history of the dispute over Scarborough Shoal and the broader South China Sea?
- The 2016 ruling by an international arbitration court largely invalidated China's claims in the South China Sea, but China has refused to acknowledge the ruling. This has led to increased confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels, including collisions and the use of water cannons by China.