US-China South China Sea Sovereignty Dispute (Comprehensive)

Pompeo, "China's Maritime Resource Claims Illegal" Unprecedented Statement

An F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet belonging to the U.S. Navy is landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz aircraft carrier sailing in the South China Sea on the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, directly attacked China's claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea as illegal. Given that the South China Sea is one of China's core interests, a strong backlash from China is expected. The friction between the U.S. and China, which had arisen over issues such as the pandemic and the Hong Kong National Security Law, appears to be expanding to maritime territorial disputes.

On the 13th (local time), Secretary Pompeo stated in a press release, "We make it clear that Beijing's claims to most of the maritime resources in the South China Sea are completely illegal." He added, "Beijing uses threats to undermine the sovereignty of Southeast Asian countries surrounding the South China Sea, harasses them, and asserts unilateral control," emphasizing, "China has no legal basis to unilaterally impose its will in this region."

Until now, the U.S. has avoided taking a specific stance on the territorial disputes between China and Southeast Asian countries over the South China Sea. Therefore, Pompeo's remarks on this day are considered exceptional. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted, "This is the first time the U.S. has officially opposed China's sovereignty claims in the South China Sea," highlighting its significance.

Secretary Pompeo also strongly criticized China's claims to maritime resources in the South China Sea. He said, "The Chinese Communist Party's actions to harass other countries' fishing or hydrocarbon development activities in the South China Sea or to unilaterally carry out such activities are illegal."

He stated, "The world will not allow China to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire," and declared, "The United States stands with Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting sovereign rights over maritime resources in accordance with rights and obligations under international law," clearly expressing solidarity with Southeast Asian countries confronting China.

China has drawn nine dashed lines in a U-shape along the coastline of the South China Sea, claiming 90% of the area as its territorial waters, and has built artificial islands, escalating conflicts with neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.