Tensions in the South China Sea: What is Happening The South China Sea is in the world’s spotlight due to increasing tensions between countries claiming territory in the region. With abundant natural resource potential and strategic trade routes, the South China Sea has become a hot spot for geopolitical conflicts involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. One major aspect of these tensions is territorial claims. China claims most of the South China Sea through the ‘Nine Dash Line’, which refers to a map created in 1947. However, many other countries in the region have overlapping claims, leading to endless conflicts. Vietnam claims the Spratly and Paracel islands, while the Philippines claims the area around Scarborough Shoal. Military activity has also increased in the region. China has expanded its control by building artificial islands and installing military infrastructure. At the same time, the United States is increasing its military presence through joint exercises with allies in the region. This has raised concerns about the possibility of a larger military clash, which could involve the world’s major powers. Fishing rights are also a source of tension. Fishermen from countries claiming territory carry out activities in potentially disputed zones. China often expels foreign ships, claiming they violate its sovereignty. This has increased tensions between China and neighboring countries, resulting in a number of maritime incidents. Apart from that, oil and gas resources on the seabed have also attracted the attention of many parties. China considers its rights to these resources legitimate, but other countries think otherwise. Geological research shows that the South China Sea holds substantial oil and gas reserves, which could be a fundamental reason for these tensions. International treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), serve as a benchmark for resolving claims. However, China often ignores international decisions, as seen in the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that rejected China’s claims. This creates frustration and uncertainty for the countries involved. The international community continues to call for dialogue and a peaceful resolution. ASEAN, as a regional organization, seeks to facilitate negotiations between its members and China. However, this approach is often hampered by differences in the political positions and interests of each member. Economic competition also exacerbates the situation. China uses its economic power to influence countries that have claims in the region. Large investments in infrastructure projects and the Belt and Road initiative position China as a dominant player, while other countries struggle to maintain sovereignty in the face of these pressures. In this situation, maintaining stability in the South China Sea is a big challenge. Continued tensions raise the risk of greater conflict, which could have serious consequences for regional and global security. The international community must continue to be vigilant and support a peaceful resolution to this conflict, so that potential resources and trade routes can continue to be exploited without causing greater upheaval.