South China Sea: An Introduction

Emeritus Professor Carlyle A. Thayer

Presentation to
ANU Learning Communities
ANU Law School Library Theatre
May 1, 2018
 Outline

1. Geography and Resources

2. U.S Freedom of Navigation Operational
Patrols
3. China-ASEAN discussions on a Code of
Conduct
1. Geography and Resources
Features (islands, rocks)
Shipping Routes
 2. U.S. Freedom of
Navigation Operational Patrols
• Assert freedom of navigation and overflight
rights and freedoms worldwide under UNCLOS
• No acquiescence to unilateral acts
• Highlight UNCLOS navigation provisions to
protect maritime rights worldwide
• Triple track – diplomatic representations,
operational assertions and bi- & multi-lateral
consultations
 Philippines 22
22
Maldives 19
18

U.S. FONOPs by
India 18
17
China 16
15
Indonesia 14
13
Ecuador
Taiwan
Egypt
8
8
9
11
12
State and
7
Libya
Venezuela
Peru
6
6
6
6
7
Number of Years
6
Liberia
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
5
5
5
6
6
under Challenge
FY 1991 - 2017
5
Albania 5
4
Japan 4
4
Argentina 4
3
Thailand 3
3
South Korea 3
3
Croatia 3
2
Sweden 2
2
Saudi Arabia 2
2
Mauritania 2
2
Cuba 2
1
Slovenia 1
1
Nigeria 1
1
Kenya 1
1
Acknowledgement: Tuan Anh Luc, ‘The
Haiti 1
Congo
1
1
US Freedom of Navigation Operations in
1
Cameroon 1
1
the South China Sea’, forthcoming.
Angola 1
0 5 10 15 20 25
 US FONOPs Under Obama and Trump
No. US Navy Ship Date Location
1. USS Lassen (DDG-82) Oct 2015 Subi Reef, Northeast Cay, Southwest
Cay, South Reef, and Sandy Cay
2. USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) Jan 30, 2016 Triton Island

3. USS William P. Lawrence May 2016 Fiery Cross Reef

(DDG-110)
4. USS Decatur (DDG-73) Oct 2016 Islands in the Paracel archipelago

5. USS Dewey (DDG-105) May 24, 2017 Mischief Reef and other artificial islands

6. USS Stethem (DDG-63) Jul 2, 2017 Triton Island

7. USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) Aug 10, 2017 Mischief Reef

8 USS Chafee (DDG-90) Oct 10, 2017 Paracel Islands

9 USS Hopper (DDG-70) Jan 17, 2018 Scarborough Shoal

10 USS Mustin (DDG-89) March 2018 Mischief Reef

Source: Tuan Anh Luc

3. China-ASEAN Discussions on the Code of
Conduct in the South China Sea
• Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea (DOC) November 2002
• Framework Code of Conduct May 2017
– One and a quarter page document
• Dot points
– Preambular provisions
– General provisions
• Objectives
• Principles
– Final Clauses
 Cooperative Activities Under the DOC
• a. marine environmental protection;
• b. marine scientific research;
• c. safety of navigation and communication at
sea;
• d. search and rescue operation; and
• e. combating transnational crime, including
but not limited to trafficking in illicit drugs,
piracy and armed robbery at sea, and illegal
traffic in arms.
 Outstanding Issues
• Prerequisite full implementation of the
DOC
• Geographic scope
• Legally binding
• Enforcement mechanism
• Oil Exploration by Philippines and Vietnam
• ASEAN Member States-China negotiations
• Deadline to conclude negotiations
South China Sea: An Introduction

Emeritus Professor Carlyle A. Thayer

Email: c.thayer@adfa.edu.au