The South China Sea dispute concerns claimed territorial waters and exclusive economic zones generated by the territory, as well as island chains, such as the Spratlys and Paracels (mainly Spratlys), which are made up of islands, sandbanks, reefs, atolls and rocky outcrops. The sea has enormous strategic importance; a third of the world's shipping passes through it carrying over $3 trillion in trade every year, it contains profitable fisheries that are crucial to the food security of millions of people in Southeast Asia and it is believed that beneath its seabed find huge reserves of oil and gas. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Because the South China Sea is crucial for trade, as well as maintaining the security of neighboring member states, territorial disputes have repeatedly led to clashing sovereignty claims. The top five claimant countries that have multiple claims on the South China Sea are China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei. The claimant states are interested in maintaining or acquiring rights to fishing grounds, exploration and potential exploitation of crude oil and natural gas in the seabed of various parts of the South China Sea, and strategic control of important shipping lanes. The claims of the parties involved in the South China Sea dispute consist of historical claims of discovery and occupation and also claims that are based on the extension of sovereign jurisdiction according to the interpretation of the provisions of UNCLOS. China bases its claims primarily on historical context. According to Chinese history, the Spratley and Paracel Islands were first discovered by the Chinese, some Chinese historical documents describe the area as Chinese territory as early as 300 AD However, its continued control over the disputed area was broken in modern history. China considers itself a victim of imperialist aggressions and conflicts between superpowers, which deprive it of its historical claims. Under current international law, it will be difficult for China to defend its claims, so it has refrained from using legal terminology to specify its claims. On the other hand, China's Congress has passed a law to reclaim territorial waters. Vietnam also sees the region as a historical territory like China. Vietnam's claim is based on legacy terrain to demonstrate its effective and continuing control. However, Vietnam recognized Chinese sovereignty over the disputed islands during its war with France and the United States. It began its dispute over China's claims after its relations with China had deteriorated in the early 1970s. Malaysia's claim to the Southern Spratley features falls within the boundary of Malaysia's continental shelf. . Therefore, your question is primary on a legal level. The Philippines bases its claim on the continental shelf. He also tries to base his claims on historical arguments. But the claims are too modern compared to the historical ones made by China and Vietnam. The Philippines has never claimed the main island of Spratley which is outside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Indonesia's claims to the South China Sea are limited to the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf. Indonesia claims neither the Spratly nor the Paracel Islands. Brunei's claim is based on a straight line projection of its EEZ as provided by the.