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Places in News: South China Sea
China Seizes Disputed Reef in the South China Sea
Context: In a provocative move that could further destabilise the South China Sea, China has seized control of Sandy Cay, a disputed reef located just kilometers from the Philippines’ most critical military outpost in the region.
About South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, lying adjacent to the Southeast Asian mainland.
Geographical Boundaries
- The sea is bordered by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
- Its southern limit is defined by an underwater rise between Sumatra and Borneo, while its northern boundary stretches from the northern tip of Taiwan to China’s Fujian province across the Taiwan Strait.
- It connects to the East China Sea via the Taiwan Strait and to the Philippine Sea through the Luzon Strait.
- Together, the South China Sea and the East China Sea form what is collectively known as the China Sea.
Key Features
- Archipelagos: The region features two major archipelagos — the Paracel Islands, controlled by China, and the Spratly Islands, which are heavily disputed.
- Climate: The South China Sea experiences a tropical climate, largely influenced by seasonal monsoon winds.
- Strategic Importance: It is the world’s second-busiest sea lane, playing a crucial role in global trade.
- The sea serves as a major corridor for the transportation of crude oil from the Persian Gulf and Africa through the Strait of Malacca to key Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.
- Major Ports: Key ports along the South China Sea include Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.
