Environmental and Political Reconciliation Needed for the South China Sea

Feb 8, 2023 | James Borton
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More than 625 million people of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) depend upon a healthy global ocean. Meanwhile, coral reefs are dying as a result of an ecological catastrophe unfolding in the region’s once fertile and prized fishing grounds. 

The South China Sea is a unique natural laboratory for ocean research and exploration. Science has been adopted as a diplomatic tool for peace building by many countries, and there are organizations that strengthen global scientific relationships, like the United Nations Environment Program (UNDP). 

While some policy experts believe that China’s embrace of science cooperation offers evolving evidence of what Beijing characterizes as their ‘peaceful rise, others view the nation’s blue water ambitions and regional hegemonic actions in the South China Sea as a clear and dangerous threat to every state in the region.

Rather than serving as a promising gateway for oceanographic research, peace, and prosperity, rising tensions and mistrust in the region reveal, a serious threat to geopolitical and ecological security in Southeast Asia.