Spratly Islands Dispute Between China and the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

What is Spratly Islands Dispute?

Why is the Spratly issue so important and what is the basis of the Philippine claim to the islands?

How it started?

Terminology APEC - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ARF - ASEAN Regional Forum ASEAN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations EEZ - Exclusive Economic Zone UNCLOS – United Nation Convention Laws of the Seas

Thesis Statement:

Spratly Islands, based upon proximity, usage, and discovery are part of the Philippines sea territory which are covered by United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas.

COUNTER ARGUMENTS

1. Spratly Islands were first discovered by the Chinese in the 2nd century AD.

2. The Spratly Islands is within the China claimed territory.

3. The EEZ does not categorically state that those islands within the marine parameters automatically belong to such country.

4. China is more equipped and more qualified to sustain the development of the islands ‘ resources and protect their diverse marine ecosystem than the Philippines.

ARGUMENTS

1. The Philippines has legal basis and underwent the right processes and procedures in claiming the islands

2. Philippines has the rightful sovereignty and the historical rights as the ancestral and territorial domain over the Spratly Islands

3. All the islands claimed by the Philippines lie within its 200-nautical mile EEZ.

4. The agreement between China, Philippines and Vietnam in the United Nation’s 1982 Convention elaborates that states have a right to an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf within 200 miles of their coast.

CONCLUSION

A.Significance:

Territorial sovereignty Oil, gas and hydrocarbon potential Increasing energy demand Maritime control/freedom of navigation.

B. Implication:

The development of the future economic and security arrangements in Southeast Asia.

Philippines has two options: a. become a weaker tributary state of China’s b. to fight.

End