The test for the future of Asia is now centered on the South China Sea. Security experts in the region believe that the controversy around the China's claims to this area may jeopardize the peace, security and commerce in the region.

There have been instances where some Asian countries have attempted to push back against China on this issue. For example, earlier this month, a Japanese submarine made a port call to the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, a sign of growing security cooperation. Also this month, Vietnam seized a Chinese ship for illegally entering its territorial waters, and Indonesia has threatened to defend its claims to the maritime territory with F-16 fighter jets.

Like Us on Facebook

Meanwhile, the Philippines has been challenging Beijing's assertions of sovereignty over most of the South China Sea in the international arbitration court.

Although China ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guaranteeing unimpeded passage on the high seas for trade, fishing and oil exploration, Beijing has refused to participate in the Philippine case. By June, a tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected to make its ruling in the case. While China has decided not to participate in the tribunal proceedings, the tribunal's decision will be technically binding under international law.

The South China Sea is rich in natural resources and serves as a vital waterway for $5 trillion in trade annually. There are speculations that the ruling of the court may lead to a stand off in the area and this situation will further aggravate the relationship between China with other Asian powers. There are chances that the affected Asian countries may rally with the US to ensure that court ruling is implemented.

Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates the United States exported $79 billion in goods to the countries around the South China Sea in 2013, and imported $127 billion from them during that period.

Navy Adm. Robert Willard estimated that in 2011 the region accounted for $5.3 trillion in bilateral annual trade. Looking at the importance of this area, it is clear that the US will continue to flex its arm to ensure that the conflict gets resolved.

TagsSouth China Sea, USA, Asia, china