An Analysis Of U.S. Policy In The South China Sea

The South China Sea, standing at an important strategic location, has always been the territory of China holy and inviolable. In resent years, tempted by abundant natural resources embedded in the South China Sea, such as oil and natural gas, neighboring countries started their plunder type exploitations using their geographic advantages and grounding on islands or cays which are originally belongs to China. Outside powers were brought in by some of these countries in the form of cooperation to increase difficulties for Chinese government to exercise sovereignty over the area. Consequently, the problematic issue about the South China Sea became more complicated and a hot issue everywhere. The United States is undoubtedly the most influential country in solving the South China Sea issue, since the United States is still the most powerful country in the world both in economy and military. And naturally, its policies towards this region are shifting with the varying international situation and its pursuit of nation interests.Activities of the United States in the South China Sea have a long history. Back to the nineteenth century, the United States has already begun to cast its shadows on this area such as the earliest routes opening and colonization of Philippine. During the Second World War, the United States used this region as the front to contain the spread of Japanese fascism and to strike back Japanese invasion. In the Cold War, the South China Sea was also a part of the world-wide contest between the United States and the Soviet Union. After the Vietnam War, the United States has put on the defensive for a while, but the competition in this area was still intense. In such period of time, given its own benefits, though the United States did not distinctively confirm China's sovereignty over the area, it did not openly support neighboring countries'possession of the South China Sea islands as well. In other words, the policy of the United States during that time is neither on one side nor the other. However, in the closing part of the Cold War, along with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the risen of China, the United States began to adopt more active policies to maintain its dominance towards the South China Sea affairs, such as constant joint military exercises with Southeast Asian counties, stationing military forces in the area and enhancing its cooperation with Japan and India.Nowadays, the United States is sharing extensive common interests with most of countries in the world, especially those in the Asian-Pacific region, where it has several military alliances and important economic and political interests. And among these interests, curbing the rapid development of China, keeping the South China Sea waterway unblocked and maintaining stability in this region are holding the most essential position. It is these interests that are fundamentally determining the policy trend of the United States. Besides, in the scramble for dominant position, roles which the United States, China and Southeast Asian Nations are playing and privileges they have, are constantly changing with their national powers. And outside powers like Japan, India and Russia also have their impacts on policies of the United States towards the region. Meanwhile, what needs to point out is that actions of the United States are influenced by various treaties and conventions as well, though most of them are in its favor. The United States also attempts to hold the dominant position of the region through hegemonic discourse.In the next period of time, policies of the United States towards the South China Sea will continue to serve for its national interests. Stationing military force in the area, maintaining the safety of the waterway and making precaution against changes brought by the risen of China are still essential. Apparently, these policies are still unfavorable for China. So China also needs to work out effective policies to respond.