Us-China Rivalry in South China Sea and Its Impact on Regional Stability

Abstract

The research is aimed to analyze the growing competition or rivalry of Sino-US in the South China Sea and its impact on the security and development of Asia-Pacific. The two states have core interests in the region and there is an escalating strategic and military competition between the two for regional power. The study is considered important as it is highlighting South China Sea’s importance in terms of natural resources, trade routes, geo-strategic position, geopolitics, geoeconomics, military, fishing areas, regional cooperation and regional power. Various regional and non-regional countries are involved in the SCS for achieving their core interests. The two superpowers, US and China have intense strategic and military competition with each other. China has been involved in island building and base construction activities in the Spratly and Paracel Islands while the US is conducting Freedom of Navigation Operations, deploying large number of troops on islands and other defense and naval activities to contain China. The study has further analyzed the cooperation between regional and non-regional states to minimize increasing disputes. Hard and soft powers have been used in terms of settling disputes in the SCS. The research has also assessed about regional agreements and pacts with claimants. The study has also assessed about maintenance of peace and stability in the region. It has highlighted Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s policies towards China in the SCS and hegemony over the region. Obama has focused on China’s assertive actions in the SCS, fostering regional peace, protecting friendly terms with its allies or partners and FONOPs. Trump’s policies were assertive, confrontational, unpredictive, competitive and unilateral in the SCS. Biden’s policies are less confrontational, competitive, uncertain and unpredictive in the SCS. His administration is focusing on bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and restoring terms with its allies or partners in the SCS. Furthermore, Sino-US rivalry in SCS have been on the rise and it is only causing more strain in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The study has also assessed that disputes can be minimized through negotiations between claimants but it cannot be completely ended and the SCS will remain the most contested area in the Asia-Pacific.