Belligerence Over Water

Water is extremely essential for any planet's survival. Our planet has been blessed by three -fourth of area covered by water but the greedy human needs create conflict between countries and even within the country .The Jordan river fight, Indus water treaty, quavery water and the most important South China Sea conflict are some examples of war over water.

Strategically, the most important waterway of 21 century with 70% of world trade across this sea and vital for the economic survival of Malaysia, Brunei  Phillipines, Cambodia, has been under the conflict over the island groups of Spratly and Pericel. China claims that Chinese nationals have been using Spratly islands since 3rd century. The Kuomintang government that ruled China before it became Republic of China fought war with Japan over the island groups. Likewise China's claims, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) belongs to India because Indian nationals lived there, United States belongs to United Kingdom because many United kingdom citizens lived there while US was colonized. Therefore, China's claims are unethical and is an act of war.

China looks towards the South China Sea with the opportunity to shore up national security by protecting the vast coast line and build a man made territory basis. Pericel islands is under Chinese control despite the fact it falls within Vietnam Exclusive Economic Zone (up to 200 nautical miles as per UNCLOS). Spratly islands cover 160 sq km area over which six nations have claims make the sea a disputed body. The Kuomintang government gave an infamous 11 Dash Line which showed  11 major islands out of 13 as part of Chinese territory which was considered unethical. The new Dash Line of 2009 drawn fire as it was declared illegal by the United Nations Convection on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) and Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) BUT China disapproves both the rulings.

The countries like Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, Taiwan have great dependence on the sea water for oil and natural gas, the contact of warm and cool ocean current makes the fishing capital of the world. China wants to develop tourism center which Vietnam opposes. The United States threw an arrow in the quiver in 2015 by moving the US missile destroyer to territorial expansion (up to 12 nautical miles) of China's claimed islands. United States Prophesied that China is a loose Cannon that can become harm to world trade and development.

India advocate peace in the region because of it's 55% trade transit in South China Sea (Malacca Strait). Tibet has urged India to stand on the South China Sea. India has recently developed a strategy to surround China by involving in friendly ties with the neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia etc. and it's recent involvement with Japan leaves China alone over the Sea water conflict since India urges every country to follow UNCLOS ruling.

The strategic water dispute can be resolved only by adopting UNCLOS and PCA rulings , because , if China becomes a loose Cannon, it can cause a harm to both the world and itself. 

With two World Wars already having their furious and catastrophic impact and knowing that the nuclear arsenal of countries have also registered enough numbers, a battle on a resourceful area like that of South China Sea getting intense is almost like planting the seeds of many more Hiroshima and Nagasaki's .