Freedom of Navigation and The South China Sea Conflict

Abstract

The South China Sea, a crucial maritime region, has become a contentious arena where multiple nations, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and others, assert conflicting territorial claims. At the center of this dispute lies the principle of freedom of navigation, which is essential for maintaining open sea lanes and ensuring global trade and security. However, China's assertive behaviors, including the establishment of artificial islands and the establishment of excessive maritime boundaries, directly challenge this principle. The confrontations in the South China Sea have far-reaching implications for the stability of the Western security order. The theoretical framework of offensive realism is employed to analyze the dynamics at play in this complex geopolitical scenario. Through the application of offensive realism, the dissertation unveils the strategic calculus of key actors in the South China Sea dispute, shedding light on their aggressive pursuit of dominance in the maritime domain. The study employs a multi-faceted methodology, combining content and thematic analysis alongside interviews with naval experts to derive primary data. Secondary data is drawn from a comprehensive range of scholarly articles, journals, and books, serving as references to enrich the research. By intertwining theoretical insights from offensive realism this research seeks to illuminate the intricate connections between the South China Sea disputes and broader implications for Western security order stability.