‘Historical Mistake’ and the USA - China Global Rivalry: The South China Sea Dispute

Abstract

China has been facing various border disputes with the neighboring countries in the Far East. Among them is the “South China Sea Dispute” which has become the leading dispute of the region in recent years whereby China’s acts with a sovereignty claim on the South China Sea Islands and the borders in the surrounding area led to the participation of neighboring states into the conflict. It is understood that the South China Sea dispute is becoming a predominant issue not only on a regional scale but also a power struggle between the USA and China in that it is a multidimensional problem with its geopolitical- geostrategic, legal, and military pillars. The aim of this research explain the multilayered features of the South China Sea dispute with the rivalry between the USA and China in the background.China has been facing various border disputes with the neighboring countries in the Far East. Among them is the “South China Sea Dispute” which has become the leading dispute of the region in recent years whereby China’s acts with a sovereignty claim on the South China Sea Islands and the borders in the surrounding area led to the participation of neighboring states into the conflict. It is understood that the South China Sea dispute is becoming a predominant issue not only on a regional scale but also a power struggle between the USA and China in that it is a multidimensional problem with its geopolitical- geostrategic, legal, and military pillars. The aim of this research explain the multilayered features of the South China Sea dispute with the rivalry between the USA and China in the background.