TERRITORIAL DISPUTES IN THE SOUTH

CHINA SEA

INTRODUCTION:
Since the 1970s, several claims have been made in the South China Sea; the most
recent of these being the Spratly Islands.

BODY:
According to China, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
prohibits foreign military from conducting intelligence-gathering missions within
their EEZ. The US has opposed China's aggressive land reclamation projects and
territorial claims in order to safeguard its political, security, and economic
interests. In order to strengthen their capabilities for maritime security and deter
Chinese invasion, Japan has also sold military ships and equipment to the
Philippines and Vietnam. The US has stated its support for a deal on a binding
code of conduct and other confidence-boosting measures to guard against China's
claims to SLOCs.

CONCLUTION:
While Japan has sold military ships and equipment to increase maritime security
capacity, the US has contested China's territorial claims and land reclamation
initiatives. US officials have said they are in favor of a deal on a legally binding
code of conduct.
__BALLARAN RJ, ANASCO__