Territorial disputes in the South China Sea have been an ongoing geopolitical issue. Many countries, including the Philippines and China, claim parts of this resource-rich and strategically important region.
China has received criticism from several countries, and international bodies, for allegedly not respecting the international laws and treaties governing these waters, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The prospect of these disputes escalating to the point of causing a world war is a matter of speculation. While any military conflict can theoretically widen into broader confrontation, diplomatic, economic, and political strategies are typically applied to prevent such escalation. International society, including the U.N., typically works to mediate and resolve disputes like these through talks and negotiations instead of allowing matters to escalate into armed conflict.
There is certainly a risk attached to these ongoing tensions, but predicting an onset of a world war is beyond any one person’s capacity. It’s essential for countries to work towards peaceful negotiations and dispute resolution, respecting international laws and treaties.