South China Sea

South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Karimata and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around 3,500,000 square kilometers. The sea carries tremendous strategic importance; one-third of the world's shipping passes through it, carrying over $3 trillion in trade each year, it contains lucrative fisheries, which are crucial for the food security of millions in Southeast Asia. It is also believed to have significant oil and gas reserves.

Geography

The South China Sea is located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by the coastline of China, in the west by the Indochina Peninsula, in the east by the Philippines, and in the south by Borneo, western Indonesia, and the Malay Peninsula. The sea includes several hundred small islands, rocks, and reefs, with the majority located in the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands.

Natural Resources

The South China Sea is rich in natural resources. It is believed to have vast oil and gas resources. The sea also has abundant marine life, making it one of the world's major fishing grounds. The Coral reefs in the South China Sea have a high biodiversity with 571 species of reef-building corals reported from the Spratly Islands and 400 from the Paracel Islands.

Territorial Disputes

The South China Sea is the subject of several complex territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. The disputes involve both the land and maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Tonkin and the waters near the Spratly and Paracel Islands. These disputes have been the source of several military conflicts and diplomatic tensions among the involved countries.

Navigation and Trade

The South China Sea is a major strategic waterway for trade and shipping. It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with over a third of global maritime trade passing through its waters. The sea is particularly important for China, which has seen a significant increase in its maritime trade in recent years.

Environmental Concerns

The South China Sea faces several environmental issues, including overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. The overexploitation of fish stocks and destruction of coral reefs are particularly concerning, as they threaten the biodiversity and sustainability of the sea's ecosystem.

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  South China Sea

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  Mui Ne Beach

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  Map of the South China Sea

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  Major crude oil trade flows in the South China Sea (2016)

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  Spratly Islands with flags