Hye Ryeon (Helen) Jang, Morehouse College – April 22^nd at 12:30pm

Building Artificial Islands in Troubled Water: The Impact of Artificial Islands on Maritime Conflict

Abstract: China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have constructed competing artificial islands in the South China Sea. However, according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, man-made artificial islands cannot possess the status of islands (Article 60(8) and 80). If such artificial islands are not granted the legal status of islands to claim the associate rights of the exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, why have countries constructed them in this disputed region? Moreover, where have countries constructed them? How has the construction of artificial islands ultimately affected the maritime disputes? I use remote sensing on satellite images (USGS Landsat 7 and 8) to collect geospatial data on artificial islands involved in maritime disputes in the South China Sea. This remote sensing analysis provides geospatial information to explain why China has chosen to construct artificial islands in certain locations. This paper seeks to explain the spatial determinants in the construction of artificial islands and the effect of the construction of artificial islands on the duration of maritime disputes. I conclude that maritime claimants tend to construct their artificial islands closer to the sea lines of communication (SLOCs). While the construction of artificial islands is highly likely to increase the duration of maritime disputes, it is inconclusive whether the construction of artificial islands increases the chance of a certain maritime claimant obtaining any de facto jurisdiction over their contested maritime region.

https://zoom.us/j/98150550037?pwd=OStzeUNJTmp0TGE5SlAxNld3RVgvUT09

Meeting ID: 981 5055 0037

Passcode: science