The current state of the world and the overall economy is bleak, to say the least. In a reciprocal fashion, the international arena is heating up. It is necessary to note that every time a power is put under pressure from within, the less powerful nations will always try to grab their share while the big boys are tending to their domestic issues. This is exactly the case today. The perfect storm, so to say. Although Russia-US relations are constantly thoroughly discussed, and Iranian defiance of the West is reiterated every time something happens in the Middle East, there are other places that require special attention due to tensions and rivalries that go virtually unattended. Primarily, the focus of this article will be on the South China Sea and the countries involved in the battle for their lucrative spot in the vast expanse of the world’s oceans.

Brief Overview

The South China Sea lies between the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and, most importantly, China. When geologists found oil and gas deposits under the sea, very close to Spratly Islands, each nation wanted to grab a hold of the natural resources that come with its territory, and so territorial disputes between all those nations listed above began, with all players claiming as much territory as possible. China, as the most powerful nation in the region, is the most assertive of the group and has constantly used force to lay claim to the Spratlys and other areas that have access to most of the oil and gas within their borders.

There have been many clashes in the South China Sea, primarily involving China and the Philippines. Of course, none of this can go on without the U.S. putting in a word. Washington claimed that the South China Sea is important to the security of trade routes and American national security interests and that, in the case of open conflict between China and the Philippines, the U.S. will step in on the side of the latter. Although open hostilities in the region have subsided, almost every nation involved is starting to build military bases on the vast number of islands that are scattered across the South China Sea.

American Involvement Today

Recently, the Pentagon released a statement saying that Chinese ships harassed a U.S. surveillance ship in the South China Sea in the latest of several instances of “increasingly aggressive conduct” in the past week. The ship, USNS Impeccable, is a surveillance ship that is used to detect underwater threats. The Chinese were trying to use underwater hooks to tear off the Impeccable’s antennae and sonar, but were unsuccessful.

This incident reinforces American concern about the security of the area because if China dominates the waters of the Spratlys, then no American companies will be able to drill in the area and the U.S. will have to buy the region's resources at market prices. And Americans will buy regardless because U.S. dependence on Middle East oil is becoming less and less secure and the diversification of the United States' resource imports has to come about one way or another. However, with current pressure from within the U.S., Washington’s global ambitions have to be put on hold.

The Chinese sense the weakening of U.S. aspirations in the area and are taking advantage to push it out of the South China Sea, at least to the extent where they won't meddle in Chinese affairs there. Beijing’s rationale for taking more aggressive actions against the Americans is most likely based on the notion that America is less likely to go to war with them, compared to all other potential flashpoints. Although the U.S. has officially committed itself to helping its allies in the region, it will not be able to pack a strong enough punch because its forces and supplies are stretched at this time.

The Conclusion

Most importantly, increased aggression by the Chinese means that they want to take advantage of a weaker America and to impose their own rules in what they claim as their sphere of influence. Most likely this is the only few news that the general public will get regarding the South China Sea and the tensions that are present there, but it should come as no surprise if and when a small armed clash between the Chinese and some of its neighbours will erupt in the near future. Control of the South China Sea will put a lot of leverage and power into China’s hands. Something no one that uses the trade routes and has aspiration for the resources under the seabed wants.

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.