South China Sea Dispute in International Relations

The South China Sea, a mare internum of Southeast Asia bordering China on its Northern rim, is located between two continents: Eurasia and Australia. What is more, it is intersected by a boundary line running between the Asian and the Indian oceanic plates. Therefore, with slight exaggeration it can be said that this region has been fraught with tension for over 45 million years. From a geological point of view, the South China Sea can be perceived as a “collision zone”. However, it has become a “flashpoint”, “hot spot”, and “dangerous ground” of Southeast Asia for other crucial reasons.