Systematic Dominance Of China In The South China Sea With The Aid Of Artificial Islands
- IJLLR Journal
- May 24
- 1 min read
K Subba Ram Reddy, Vellore Institute of Technology
ABSTRACT
The artificially created islands in the South China Sea by China is a measured grandiose to have sweeping territorial demands and it is a complete defiance of the international law as laid down by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The 2016 South China Sea Arbitration, according to the law, declared that such artificial features like those found on Mischief Reef and subi reef produce no exclusive economic zones (EEZs) or continental shelf rights since they are low-tide features that cannot be considered eligible to be part of the territorial seas. Dredging has also resulted in massive destruction of the environment in China, and is against the provisions of UNCLOS Articles 192–194. The strategic action between 2013 and 2017 saw China take back more than 3 200 acres in seven features of the Spratly Islands, furnishing them with military runways, radars, and missile systems as power assertions, establishing a fait accompli despite the lack of sovereignty. By January 2026, China is still dredging the Antelope Reef and the Paracels (since October 2025), and is testing the idea of nuclear-resistant floating islands. These measures have led to the drying up of relationships with neighbours such as Vietnam due to continued legal disapproach but not because of new arbitral conclusions.
Keywords: Public International Law, The United Nations Convention on The Law of The Sea (UNCLOS), The 2016 South China Sea Arbitration, The Permanent Court of Arbitration, Arbitral Award, Jurisdictional Authority, Sovereignty Disputes, Maritime Entitlements, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Continental Shelf Rights.
