Nine-dash line

Definition

The nine-dash line is a demarcation line used by China to outline its claims over a significant portion of the South China Sea, encompassing an area rich in natural resources and strategic maritime routes. This claim is represented by a series of dashes on maps and has been a source of intense regional tensions, involving disputes with neighboring countries and raising questions about international law and sovereignty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The nine-dash line first appeared in Chinese maps in 1947 and has since been asserted as China's historical claim to the majority of the South China Sea.
2. Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, contest China's claims under international law, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions.
3. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China's claims in the South China Sea based on UNCLOS, stating that there was no legal basis for the nine-dash line.
4. China continues to assert its claims through military presence and construction of artificial islands within the contested waters, which raises concerns among neighboring countries and international observers.
5. The ongoing disputes surrounding the nine-dash line have implications for regional security dynamics and have prompted increased military cooperation among countries like the U.S. and its allies in response to China's assertiveness.

Review Questions

• How does the nine-dash line impact China's relationships with its neighboring countries?
  • The nine-dash line significantly strains China's relationships with neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, who contest China's expansive claims over the South China Sea. These disputes often lead to confrontations at sea, diplomatic protests, and increased militarization in the region. The disagreement over territorial rights not only affects bilateral ties but also creates a broader atmosphere of mistrust among nations in Southeast Asia.
• Evaluate the role of UNCLOS in relation to China's nine-dash line claims and the responses from other nations.
  • UNCLOS provides a framework for maritime rights and territorial claims, which directly challenges China's assertion of the nine-dash line. The 2016 ruling by an international tribunal under UNCLOS stated that China's claims have no legal basis. This ruling has not deterred China from pursuing its claims aggressively; instead, it has led to increased tensions as other nations rally around UNCLOS principles to counter Chinese assertiveness, highlighting a clash between national interests and international law.
• Assess how the ongoing disputes over the nine-dash line influence global perceptions of China’s ambitions on the international stage.
  • The ongoing disputes over the nine-dash line shape global perceptions of China as an emerging power willing to assert its territorial claims aggressively, often at odds with established international norms. This perception affects not only regional allies but also influences global attitudes towards China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its broader geopolitical ambitions. As nations watch how China handles these disputes, it raises questions about the future of international order and how dominant powers might challenge or uphold existing legal frameworks in pursuit of their interests.

Related terms

South China Sea:

A critical body of water that is vital for international shipping and is believed to have significant oil and gas reserves, making it a focal point for territorial disputes.

UNCLOS: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty that establishes guidelines for the use of the world's oceans and maritime resources, including territorial waters.

ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries, which plays a role in addressing security and economic issues in the region, including disputes in the South China Sea.