The Potential Hazards Of The South China Sea - 1629 Words

As the tension and activities of competing countries increase in the South China Sea this in turn has increased potential implications for its environment. One major implication is the potential hazards that are threatening coral reefs and other components of the local marine ecology within that region. The once untouched ecosystem is at danger because of aggressive engagements of ocean floors in search of natural resources. Since 2013, China has orchestrated reclamation constructions on reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands with goals of transforming them into artificial islands where they have built airbases and ports . As a result, this has destroyed the environment that was originally there. In addition to China, Vietnam, Taiwan,†¦show more content†¦As result of the battle, China gained control over the Parcel Islands . After a period of peace, disputes once again transpired in 1988 and 1995. In 2002, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached an agreement to keep peace within all parties tied in with the South China Sea as they were to refrain from taking any action on the uninhabited island chains located in the Sea. This Declaration of Conduct kept the region peaceful up until 2009 when China publicly claimed territory on the entire South China Sea . As the tension intensified so did China’s aggressive behavior, as they made it clear in 2012 and 2013 that legal proceedings against them were not going to make a difference on their goal to dominate the region. In 2013, China began the operations to transform these uninhabited islands into military infrastructures . In the last two years counting up to today, China’s rapid island building has continued despite publicly claiming that they have halted all construction. This is where the United States enters the situation as they have called on China to shut down all reclamation efforts on the Spratly Islands where China has transformed six coral reefs (Subi Reef, Gaven Reef, Huges Reef, Johnson Reef, Mischief Reef, Cuarteron Reef) into naval bases, airstrips, and weapon and surveillance facilities . What the