CSS Current Affairs | Steps of the West in South China Sea
The following question of CSS Current Affairs is solved by Hamza Aslam under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Understanding the dilemma of the South China Sea
3- Western powers took steps to counter China in the South China Sea and Pacific region
- ✓Forming Security Alliances
- Case in point: The U.S. has signed the QUAD, AUKUS, and Five Eyes security agreement to contain China in the Pacific region.
- ✓Bolstering the Philippines and Vietnam military powers
- Case in point: USA-Philippines Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)for developing facilities on the Philippine’s military bases
- ✓Freedom of Navigation Operations(FNOP’s) in the South China Sea
- Case in point: US Navy conducting regular FNOPs for upholding International water laws
- ✓Increasing economic cooperation with ASEAN countries
- Case in point: US-ASEAN countries Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) for enhancing trade
- ✓Facilitating ASEAN in technological advancements
- Case in point: EU-ASEAN collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation promoting technological development in the country
4- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The South China Sea, one of the major arteries of world trade, has become a bone of contention between the littoral states. All the countries around the sea claim sovereignty, particularly China. As a result, tension among the countries has risen and is further aggravated due to foreign interventions. The Western powers have persistently challenged China’s claim on the sea and adopted several methods for combating its hegemony in the South China Sea and Pacific region. They have made several security alliances, bolstered the military power of the Philippines and Vietnam, and conducted regular Freedom of Navigation Operations to balance the power in the region. Furthermore, increasing cooperation between Western countries and ASEAN countries in the economic and technological sectors is also a significant step in countering China’s influence. Hence, the measures of Western countries, especially the USA, have increased tensions in the Pacific region and made the issue a severe concern for the rest of the world.
Understanding the dilemma of the South China Sea
The South China Sea is in the western Pacific Ocean and is connected with the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca and the Pacific Ocean through Formosa Strait. Currently, China keeps its hold on the sea and usually takes action against the ships that enter the nine-dash line. It claims sovereignty over a significant portion of the sea because of historical factors and recognizes nine-dash lines as its international territorial boundary. On the other hand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia claim sovereignty on the sea due to various historical, geographical, and legal factors. However, due to its unconditional strategic location, the sea is important for China’s interests. It helps the country ensure its security and keep hold of the world’s significant trade routes. Therefore, considering the entire dilemma, the sea has become imperative for the Western world because of China’s escalating influence.
Western powers took steps to counter China in the South China Sea and Pacific region
- ✓Forming Security Alliances
Western countries have made security alliances to contain China’s influence in the Pacific Ocean. These alliances, such as AUKUS, Five Eyes, and QUAD, help monitor and monitor China’s activities in the region. As per strategic analysts, these security alliances are a new form of NATO formed to undermine China’s hegemony in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The alliances have increased the military presence of Western countries in the ocean, which remains a continuous threat to China. Hence, forming alliances has helped balance the scale of power in the region.
- ✓Bolstering the Philippines and Vietnam military powers
The West has supported the Philippines and Vietnam in enhancing their military might. They have provided funds, grants, and loans for purchasing advanced military equipment. Even the USA has made an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines to keep a continuous exchange of troops and developing facilities on the Philippines’ military bases. The Philippines’ strategic location significantly helps the US monitor China in the South China Sea. Hence, the support of the US in advancing the military of the Philippines and Vietnam helps to create balance in the region.
- ✓Freedom of Navigation Operations(FNOPs) in the South China Sea
To keep trade streamlined in the South China Sea, the US Navy regularly conducts Freedom of Navigation Operations. These operations help to undermine China’s claim on the sea and prevent any illegal action by China’s Navy. Moreover, it ensures that countries, especially China, adhere to the United Nations Conventions on Laws of Sea (UNCLOS). Due to these operations, the number of cases of China’s Navy harassing other countries’ vessels and stopping Philippine fishermen from fishing has been reduced. Thus, the FNOPs have significantly helped smooth trade in the Pacific Ocean and undermined the influence of China there.
- ✓Increasing economic cooperation with ASEAN countries
The Western countries have made strong economic ties with the ASEAN countries. Most of the West’s trade is conducted with the ASEAN countries. They have signed various agreements to cooperate in the financial areas. For instance, the USA and ASEAN countries have inked a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to enhance trade. The increasing trade of the US with ASEAN countries has helped maintain the economic balance in the region and has saved the countries from becoming China-dependent. Hence, the growing cooperation of the West with ASEAN countries helps lessen China’s economic hegemony in the region.
- ✓Facilitating ASEAN in technological advancements
The West has facilitated ASEAN countries to advance the technological sector. It has cooperated with these countries by sharing technological equipment, expertise, and procedures. The European Union (EU) and ASEAN have recently collaborated in science, technology, and innovation to achieve technological breakthroughs. The cooperation may help the countries’ technological development, which ultimately becomes beneficial for countering China’s technological development. Therefore, a collaboration between Western countries and ASEAN has helped the countries maintain balance in the region.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the South China Sea is one of the lengthy-standing disputes that have increased tensions among the countries, especially China and the USA. The claim of China on a significant portion of the sea and its efforts to make the world recognize it as its territory has become a significant challenge for Western countries. Western countries have taken multiple steps to counter this challenge and create a balance of power in the Pacific region. These include the formation of security alliances, Freedom of Navigation Operations, and cooperation with ASEAN countries, which have helped the Western countries undermine China’s influence in the region. Therefore, the West’s steps have helped maintain the balance of power in the Pacific region.
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