Have you ever wondered about those small islands in the middle of the South China Sea? What’s even more fascinating is that these islands didn’t exist just a few years ago. So, who built them, and why? In this article, we will delve into the hidden world of territorial expansion and explore the controversial reality surrounding these artificial islands.
Before we uncover the secrets of China’s secret island-building project, we need to understand the conflict that prevails in the region. The South China Sea has been a source of controversy for decades. It all started back in 1982 when the United Nations established the Law of the Sea, which regulates international sea rights for neighboring states.
The South China Sea is surrounded by the Gulf of Thailand to the west, Borneo to the south, and the Philippines to the east. With multiple nations bordering the sea, six different governments have claimed parts of the Paracel and Spratly Islands. The Treaty allowed all ships to pass through the South China Sea, regardless of their origin, but it also created exclusive economic zones (EEZs) for each nation involved. These zones grant sovereign rights over natural resources beneath the sea’s surface within 200 miles of a nation’s coast. Anything beyond that point is considered international waters. Notably, nations like Indonesia and Vietnam have their own EEZs in the sea.
However, China has repeatedly violated these rules by encroaching on other nations’ zones. In 2014, it escalated the violation by creating the Haiyang Shiyou oil rig in Vietnam’s EEZ. The Chinese government argues that ownership of the South China Sea is crucial to protect the nation from foreign invaders, such as the United States. The islands house military troops that monitor nuclear missile submarines and safeguard the mainland from potential attacks. Additionally, the sea serves as a crucial trade route, with a third of global sea trade passing through the region annually.
Beyond their strategic significance, the South China Sea holds vast populations of fish, employing over 3.7 million fishermen. Moreover, the region is rich in natural resources and marine minerals. Although the estimated 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the area isn’t the largest in absolute numbers, the concentration per square kilometer presents significant potential.
China argues that its historical claims justify its ownership of the South China Sea, harkening back to the Western Han Dynasty in 206 B.C. However, the United Nations does not consider historical claims in this ongoing dispute, especially when the accuracy of China’s claims is in question. China relies on its historical narrative and an unofficial demarcation known as the “nine-dash line” to assert its rights over the sea. The line, initially an eleven-dash line formed in 1947, was created by a Chinese geographer to separate the territory into areas owned by China and neighboring countries. Although legally non-binding, China continues to employ it in defense of its supposed rights.
One particularly contentious area within the South China Sea is the Spratly Islands, situated near Malaysia between the Philippines and Vietnam. All four nations claim at least part of the islands, aiming to extend their territories and exclusive economic zones. Vietnam and Malaysia have submitted claims to the United Nations, seeking to legally expand their EEZs beyond the 200-mile limit. However, China has consistently protested these motions. Military facilities have been developed by China, Vietnam, and the Philippines on the islands to assert their power. China has gone even further by constructing entirely new artificial islands.
China’s island-building initiative kicked off in 2013 when it began militarizing the islands, starting with the Paracel Islands. These artificial islands, initially unseen by the international community, grabbed attention when China started constructing functional air and naval bases and radar facilities on them. These islands have become symbols of China’s ambition, as it aims to claim major areas of the disputed Spratly Islands.
To create these islands, China builds on top of existing structures such as land, rocks, or coral reefs. Construction workers dredge up additional sand from the ocean floor through a system of tubes, piling it on top of the original formation. Cement is then applied to create a strong foundation for new buildings. Unfortunately, this process is harmful to marine life and alters the ecosystem on the ocean floor. The dredging can introduce harmful organisms and toxic substances, causing irreversible damage.
Despite the tremendous effort China invested in building these islands, they are not turning out as successful as expected. The tropical, humid climate has caused the infrastructure to deteriorate over time. The foundations have cracked under the pressure of the buildings, leading some islands to sink into the sea. This poses a significant challenge for the already weakened islands, especially during typhoon seasons.
Interestingly, China isn’t the only nation attempting to expand its territory secretly. Since 2015, Vietnam has been working on constructing ten new islands in the South China Sea. However, China has artificially built 20 times more land compared to Vietnam. Vietnam justifies its island-building as self-defense rather than an act of aggression, aiming to maintain some autonomy in the region. By having people eventually inhabit these islands, Vietnam hopes to make it harder for China to capture them.
In conclusion, the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea has ignited a fierce territorial debate between neighboring nations. China’s secret island-building project, despite its ambition, has faced significant challenges and environmental consequences. The Spratly Islands’ contentious nature continues to fuel tensions, with multiple countries asserting their claims through military facilities and island constructions. The future of the South China Sea remains uncertain, as nations navigate their interests and boundaries in this complex geopolitical chessboard.
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