Fiery Cross Island and South China Sea Dispute

Fiery Cross Island

• Size: Over one square mile
• Chinese Military Presence:
  • 10,000 ft airstrip
  • Advanced radar station
  • Missile defense system
  • 200 troops
• Creation: Did not exist two years ago; one of seven man-made Chinese islands in the South China Sea

Island Building in the South China Sea

• Process: Chinese ships pumped sand and rock onto reefs, rapidly constructing islands
• Purpose: Established seaports, air bases, and military installations
• Rate: China reclaimed land at a rate of more than three-and-a-half acres every day

Importance of the South China Sea

• Resources:
  • 11 billion barrels of oil
  • 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
  • 10% of the world's fisheries
• Trade: 30% of the world's shipping trade flows through the area
• Disputed Claims: Five countries claim parts of the South China Sea

Territorial Claims

• UN Law of the Sea: Territorial waters extend 200 miles (Exclusive Economic Zone - EEZ)
• China's Claims: Based on historical naval expeditions; uses the nine-dash line covering 90% of the South China Sea
• Spratly Islands: Claimed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia
  • Strategic Importance: Extending EEZ by claiming islands

Military and Legal Developments

• China's Military Bases: Increase control through island-building and the "Cabbage Strategy"
  • Surrounds contested islands with ships
  • Example: Ayungin Shoal
• US Involvement:
  • No direct claim but monitors international waters with Navy presence
  • Concerns over China's encroachment

Rising Tensions

• Potential Conflicts:
  • China's threat to declare an air identification zone requires Chinese permission for aircraft
  • Steve Bannon's prediction of potential war
• International Court Ruling (2016): In favor of the Philippines against China, but China dismissed the ruling

US Position

• Diplomatic Strategy:
  • Patrolling South China Sea
  • Potential air patrols if China declares an air identification zone
• Balance: Avoiding conflict with China while supporting regional allies

Current State

• Disputes: Mainly legal and diplomatic, occasional minor clashes
• Military Build-up: Countries are increasing troop numbers and weaponizing territories
• International Attention: The situation is complex and continues to draw global focus