The Reaction of Small States to the Advancements of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea Western Michigan University Department of Political Science Committee: Dr. James Butterfield, chair Dr. Emily Hauptmann Dr. Y.K. Wang Reaserch and Anlaysis: Michael Chad Miller

Research Aims and Methods What strategies have relatively less capable Southeast Asian states employed as a reaction to the advancing capacity of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea? Assessing the perceived value of the South China Sea Investigatinging the motivations of the PRC Describing the reaction of smaller states through individual case studies, analyzed through the theoretical framework of the realist paradigm.

Why is the South China Sea of Value? More than half of Asia's energy imports are shipped through the sea Nearly half the world's container traffic travels through the sea PRC sources estimate 213 billion barrels of oil exist under the sea Significant fish stocks Nationalism and territorial integrity

Why is the South China Sea of Value?

The PRC's Stake in the South China Sea Energy and economic growth: -the PRC is the 3rd greatest petroleum importing state, which accounts for 40% of consumption Marine protein and population growth: -inland water bodies and the East China Sea have experienced fish stock declines Security: -ensuring the safe travel of and access to imported resources -US Navy's 7th Fleet, Taiwan, foreign power projection Regime Legitimacy: -nationalism, territorial integrity, and economic growth

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam Multiple instances of conflict with the PRC: 1974, , 1888 Effectively controls more Spratly features than any other claimant state Claims nearly all features Vietnamese firms have been active since the 1980s in producing oil in the sea Multiple joint oil contracts Recent efforts to modernize navy Increased military to military ties

The Republic of the Philippines Kalayaan Group effectively controlled since 1974 Recent conflict with fishing vessels Most of its claims contained with EEZ Since the closing of Subic Bay, significant efforts to modernize navy US Mutual Defense Treaty

The Republic of Singapore Non-claimant state in the South China Sea Disputes Singaporean economy dependent on shipping industry: its ports accept call from a significant number of vessels passing through the Straits of Malacca Advocates the presence of the US military in the region Provides US Navy access to Changi Naval Base

Research Findings The three states have increased trade relationships with the PRC The three states have increased military spending, and have allocated funding especially for projects with relevance to the South China Sea The two claimant states have produced joint off-shore petroleum ventures The three states all seek to involve great powers in the region Conclusion: -The three states studied have maintained a level of engagement with the PRC while internally balancing its power projection into the South China Sea. -The Republic of Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines seek to promote the presence of the US military as an external balancer. The Hanoi regime promotes the involvement of various powerful states.