MID-TERM SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Academic Year 2019-2020 (20192)

Subject: Introduction to International Political Economy

Arranged by,
Name : Raina Saerang
NIM : 016201900074
Batch: 2019
Cite from:
Amry, Sacha, "An Analysis of the South China Sea Dispute: Focusing on the Assessment of the Impact of Possible
Solutions on the Economies of the Region." (2015). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/344

Abstarct
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the South China Sea dispute and to analyze
why the dispute has yet to escalate, as well as the strategic importance of the South China Sea
dispute in relation to international trade. This thesis will also study possible solutions and
effects on both the region and the international community. I argue here that while the
ASEAN countries have continued to make valuable efforts at finding multilateral solutions to
the dispute, China has resisted these efforts by demanding its own bilateral negotiation
process. The Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands, both located in the South China Sea, has
become an obstacle to creating multilateral security in the region. The question of who owns
the Spratly Islands, which are scattered throughout an 800 square kilometer area, was largely
ignored until the 1970s when oil companies began exploring the area. Therefore, sporadic
military confrontations over sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction have taken place.
China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei claim parts or all of the
aforementioned islands; thus, the Spratly and the Paracel Islands have become an important
flashpoint in the dispute.
The primary concern of the South China dispute lies at China’s “tongue-like nine
dashed lines” that is construed through the South China Sea, in areas where several other
countries dispute their claims. With this in mind, China’s perspective requires a more in-depth
analysis. ASEAN member states have informally adopted their own way of managing conflict
in what is known as the “ASEAN Way” which is a style that is informal and personal where
policymakers constantly utilize compromise, consensus, and consultation. Due to the
complexity of the South China Sea dispute, negotiations have been lagging since the 2002
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea excludes rocks incapable of sustaining human habitation as stated in Article
121. Rocks, which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own, shall have
no exclusive zone or continental shelf. All of the claimant countries of the South China Sea
dispute are signatories to the UN Law of the Sea Convention, which created guidelines
concerning the status of the islands, the continental shelf, enclosed seas, and territorial limits
with the exclusivity of an economic zone within the South China Sea dispute. Therefore,
following the Convention’s dispute mechanism may allow and assist in resolving the dispute
between the claimant countries.

In this paper, I would like to review a selected journal that is "An Analysis of the South
China Sea Dispute: Focusing on the Assessment of the Impact of Possible Solutions on the
Economies of the Region." By Amry Sacha. South Chinese Sea Dispute has captured much
of the world's attention. Being one of the most valuable and strategic trade routes in the world
is one of the reasons why it catches much international attention to that dispute. Add to this,
the increased tension caused by the Chinese that claiming that dispute is part of the "core
interest" meaning they have the same interests as Taiwan problem. Various solutions have
been created to overcome this problem. However, every solution has an impact especially on
international trade and international security.
In that journal, the author tried to answer two important research questions that are, (1)
To what extent does this conflict affect international trade? And (2) What are the economic
implications of the given solution? As an addition, the author also looks at the possible ways
to resolve the dispute. The author's hypothesis rests on the assumption that increased
multilateral assistance will allow affected countries to understand the necessity of resolving
the dispute.
In the making of that journal, the author using qualitative studies for her methods relying
on descriptive or case information based on historical summaries and claims by each of the
involved countries. The author has done good research by utilizing many sources. Then, she
also explains the background of the issues, historical records, scholarly solutions, the basis of
international law and the ASEAN way of managing conflicts, roles of international
institutions and organization. Remembering whatever the possible solution china’s action will
greatly impact, the author also provides an analysis of China’s perspective in depth. As the
primary purpose of that journal is to find a long term solution to the dispute, meaning that
also understanding the possible implications, the author has fulfilled her role by
understanding the aspirations of each claimant country.
To be more structurize the author divided into 9 chapters. In several chapters, like in
chapter 3 about background, the author has applied some data and substance from multiple
sources to elaborate on why the south Chinese sea is important and becomes a problem. Then
in chapter 5 about China, the author has also presented some arguments that prove the claim
of the south Chinese sea by china. To strengthen her argument, she also provides some
adequate evidence by presenting some scholar’s research about the resources from the South
Chinese Sea and also, the countries’ argument on their claim. Although not all of the data
comes with supporting evidence, she has tried to cover several important points. Therefore, it
gets more attention from readers.
However, some chapters lack substance, like in chapter 4 of Flashpoint Who Claims
What? Indeed, she has provided some evidence to support her data. And also given a
structurize and also easy comprehension in every country that involved in the South Chinese
Sea. Unfortunately, in chapter 4 which explain the actor of that issue, the author did not give
a complete explanation of actors in that case like mentioning some supporting actors that may
involve and influence and effect in the possible solution making of the South Chinese Sea
Crisis.
Remembering this journal is likely seen as a research paper by providing a descriptive
and comprehensive understanding of the case. So, instead, she considering counter-evidence
or counter-arguments. The author gave a wide view and present a complete understanding of
the South Chinese Sea Dispute before she jumping to answer the main question from that
journal. Thus, the readers will get a fuller understanding regarding the main issues, first.
Regardless that, in my opinion, the author's explanation is more centralized to the issue
itself, which is the south Chinese sea dispute rather than her aims of the making of that
journal. Therefore, the goals of that journal have not accomplished yet. This is evident from
the question number 2 that remains unanswered. It is indeed, that she repeatedly stated an
implication to international trade and international security but she was not correlated to the
possible solution and also give a further explanation about that.
In the case of the South Chinese Sea Dispute journal, I found that several journals also
gives a comprehensive explanation, meanwhile achieve the journal’s goals. One of them is
“Recent Developments in the South China Sea: Implications for Regional Security and
Cooperation” by Tran Truong Thuy. Several times Amry’s also cited from that journal in the
making of "An Analysis of the South China Sea Dispute: Focusing on the Assessment of the
Impact of Possible Solutions on the Economies of the Region."