Syllabus:GS-II, Subject:International Relations, Topic: Global issues, Issue: South China Sea
Context: Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the South China Sea.
South China sea dispute: Multiple countries making competing territorial claims over territories in the South China sea.
- Paracel Islands are claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.
- Spratly islands are claimed by over six countries including China, Philippines, etc.
- Second Thomas Shoal is part of Spratly islands.
- Scarborough shoal: claimed by China and Philippines.
- Nine dash line: a maritime claim made by China that overlaps with the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of several Southeast Asian nations.
In 2016, the Philippines challenged China’s claims in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The PCA ruled in favour of the Philippines, but China rejected the ruling.
