POL SCI 149E Midterm: PS 149 MT 1 Study
19 Dec 2017
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Document Summary
Island: malaysia, singapore, east timor, philippines, indonesia, brunei. Freedom from chinese influence as concern in sea. Scs/ spratley islands dispute between philippines and china. 3 areas in question: spratley islands, paracel islands, scarborough shoal. Dispute because (1) sovereignty (2) economic potential. Unclos un convention of the law of the sea (1982) Governs territory and boundaries of every nation. Up to 200 miles out as exclusive economic zone. Principle of equidistance: if 2 countries 100 miles apart, each claim 50. Up to 12 miles out as a country"s territorial sea. Up to 24 miles out as contiguous zone (reduced sovereignty, ok for military etc. ) Unclos drew line to divide the seas equally but china claims a large portion allotted to other sea nations - 9 dash line. Wants oil, gas, marine resources like minerals, fishing rights, military installations and has the military strength to scare other nations. Claims it has historically controlled it and has a right to it.
