The New Agenda: Tackling Tensions In The South China Sea
Given that the South China Sea issue has dominated international geopolitical debates for the better part of a year, the new strategy is being welcomed as something of a much-needed exercise to even the geopolitical landscape of the region.
Since the South China Sea conduit serves as one of the busiest and most lucrative trade waterways in the world, control over the region effectively guarantees control over a staggering amount of the world’s commercial and economic activity. The Spratly Islands, which are also at the heart of the South China Sea conflict, are known to be rich in energy resources and offer several industrial opportunities.
The Obama administration has clearly understood that the need of the hour is to revisit its old policies on the Asia-Pacific region in general and the South China Sea issue in particular and formulate a new security policy that addresses the same. The new strategy aims to promote the international law on maritime conduct and guarantee that no singular state establishes complete control over an international water body or asserts its jurisdiction outside of its designated territorial waters.