Strategic and Operational Implications of Access to the South China Sea to Maintain Regional Peace and Security

Abstract

The South China Sea is of strategic importance to the United States and global economy. Continued access to the Sea Lines of Communications in South China Sea is vital for Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The U.S. Navy needs ensure to freedom of navigation and overflight by maintaining its presence in the South China Sea. As the People's Republic of China continues to grow economically and militarily, her economic and political interests will increase in the region. This will increase the clashes in the South China Sea between China and the U.S. the location almost likely to play out the future of Sino-U.S. relations. China currently claims all of the South China Sea and is in dispute with other Southeast Asian nation claimants. China's maritime claim Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, and People's Liberation Army's Navy modernization are aimed at excluding the U.S. Navy for the South China Sea.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 16, 2003
Accession Number
ADA420302

Entities

People

  • Robert T. Nelson

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Commerce
  • Geography
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Navies (Foreign)
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Oceans
  • Reconnaissance
  • Second World War
  • South Asia
  • South China Sea
  • Southeast Asia
  • United States
  • United States Pacific Command
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies