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The Strategic Impact of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea and Their Influence on U.S

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The Strategic Impact of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea and Their Influence on U.S University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons All Theses & Dissertations Student Scholarship Spring 2021 The Strategic Impact of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea and their Influence on U.S. and China Relations Steven Roy MA University of Southern Maine Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/etd Part of the Defense and Security Studies Commons, International and Area Studies Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Military, War, and Peace Commons, and the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons Recommended Citation Roy, Steven MA, "The Strategic Impact of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea and their Influence on U.S. and China Relations" (2021). All Theses & Dissertations. 391. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/etd/391 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running Head: THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS I THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON U.S AND CHINA RELATIONS A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE STEVEN ROY 2020 THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS II Acknowledgements My studies in the potential conflict in the South China Sea and U.S/ China relations began through conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Goryunova in Capstone 1, who encouraged me to research my interest in the activities in the South China Sea (SCS). Dr. Goryunova gave me the confidence that this research and topic were not beyond my means. She provided invaluable mentorship throughout my studies, research and career development. Dr. Joyce T. Gibson took over as my instructor for Capstone II and gave me additional guidance and support on finalizing my thesis and was additionally invaluable. There were times where I didn’t have the confidence to continue and she continued to inspire me to finish what I started. This project attempts to increase public awareness of published data and reporting surrounding activities in relations to the Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea and the impact it has on U.S and China relations. The United States is totally focused on internal politics and the U.S news media isn’t focused on the potential impact these artificial islands in the South China Sea could potentially lead the U.S to conflict and war. THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS III Abstract This is an integrative literature review of various perspectives of different authors of previous scholarly articles discussing the impact of China’s artificial Islands in the South China Sea and how it affects U.S. China relations in the region. This research covers a range of parameters surrounding how the artificial islands were made and how they affect the overall security of naval operations and will also discuss international waterway rights within the South China Sea, one of the World’s biggest trading routes. A review of current events in the region is discussed highlighting the potential powder keg that could explode and how it can provide a starting point to summarize and identify the seriousness of the current fluid situation that is changing daily and how it potentially impacts the region. By conducting this integrative literature review the author aims to present a wholesome picture to educate the public about events that are shaping the region in the South China Sea. The results of this study will add clarity and awareness to the events in the region and how they impact the United States and China relations. The hope is that this research creates a dialogue that addresses the strategic impact these artificial islands are having on the United States and China relations in the region of the South China Sea. Keywords: Strategic impact, Offensive threat, Defensive threat, Global security, Militarization, International waters, Current events THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS IV Table of Contents Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………i Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………ii Abstract………………………………………………………………………………......iii Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………...iv Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………v List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………vi Chapter One: Introduction……………………………………………………………….1 Significance of Study………………………………………………………….…5 Research Objective……………………………………………………………….6 Chapter Two: Research Method………………………………………………………….7 Literature Search………………………………………………………………….9 Limitations……………………………………………………………………….10 Data Evaluations…………………………………………………………………10 Data Analysis and Interpretation…………………………………………………11 Chapter Three: Findings………………………………………………………………….12 Finding One: ……………………………………………………………..........…12 Findings Two: ……………………………………………………………………14 Findings Three: ………………………………………………………………….19 Findings Four: ……………………………………………………………...……22 Chapter Four: Discussion………………………………………………………………...28 China Perspective……………………………………………………………...…34 U.S. Perspective………………………………………………………………….35 THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS V Chapter Five: Conclusion and Suggestions for Future Research…………………………39 References………………………………………………………………..………………45 Appendix B: Approval Authority…………………………………………….…….…….52 THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS VI List of Figures Figure 1: Mischief Reef before dredging picture………………………………………….2 Figure 2: Mischief Reef after dredging picture…………………………………………....2 Figure 3: Fiery Cross Reef before dredging picture………………………………………3 Figure 4: Fiery Cross Reef after dredging picture………………………………...………3 Figure 5: Woody Island after dredging picture……………………………………………4 Figure 6: The South China Sea picture with Adjacent States and Territorial Claims…….15 Figure 7: Potential oil reserves and Natural Gas in the SCS…………………………….31 Figure 8: Countries involved in the region and their known military assets………………38 Figure 9: Summary of South China Sea Strategic Options……………………………….40 Figure 10: Those Countries supporting China in Red and blue for opposing China…….41 THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS 1 Chapter One: Introduction The South China Sea has drawn intense attention worldwide in recent years, due to the strategic developments in that area initiated by the People’s Republic of China. The Japan Times (2018), reported that “In December 2013, the Chinese government pressed the massive Tianjing dredger into service at Johnson South Reef in the Spratly archipelago, far from the Chinese mainland” (Chellaney, Dec. 2018, para. 2). To construct its artificial islands, China had to have a base to build on. China chose to build on existing, islands, rocks, and even coral reefs. In order to build an island that can support airstrips and other military installations requires a lot of material. China chose to use dredgers, and ships designed to pick up and move materials from the seafloor. “These dredgers use large tubes with cutting attachments at the end to grind up material on the seafloor and suck it up. From there, the material is carried through pipes or hoses and dumped on top of reefs, rocks, and other existing formations” (Nicol, 2017, para. 6). Chellaney, (2018), states “since then, China has built six more artificial islands in the South China Sea and steadily expanded its military assets in this highly strategic area, through which one-third of global maritime trade passes” (Chellaney 2018, para.4). Below are several before and after pictures of the artificial islands that were developed by China in the South China Sea. THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS 2 Figure #1, Dredgers reinforce a site being constructed on the westernmost part of Mischief Reef, located 216 km (135 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan. CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe Figure #2 After Dredgers reinforce Mischief Reef, located 216 km (135 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative / DigitalGlobe THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS 3 Once the islands are large and stable enough, China then uses cement in order to strengthen the base and build structures on that. Look at the changes below on the Fiery Cross Reef in 2006. Figure #3: Fiery Cross Reef before China converted it into an artificial island CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative / DigitalGlobe Figure #4: Fiery Cross Reef, after China converted it into an island. CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative / DigitalGlobe THE STRATEGIC IMPACT OF CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS 4 Figure #5: Woody Island another island China has converted. CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative / DigitalGlobe This integrated literature review explores the complexity surrounding China’s building of the artificial islands in the South China Sea. Forbes (2019) states that China is raising tensions in the region with neighboring Nations such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China is also interfering with allied navies such as the United States, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia. (Mourdoukoutas, 2019, paras. 13-14). The security situation is changing daily which is increasing tensions in the region. “The developments in the South China Sea carry far-reaching strategic
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