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China’s advanced Z-20 helicopter model spotted on coastguard ship in ‘second navy’ boost

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South China Sea

Why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing

News

China

Fear and ambition: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

A key People’s Liberation Army mission is to be prepared to forcibly unify Taiwan. Photo: Reuters

Buildings and structures on an artificial island built by China in Subi Reef, in the Spratlys. Photo: TNS

It’s not just about rocks, reefs and resources – vital shipping lanes, deep-sea exploration, Taiwan and the global order are at stake, analysts say.


China’s coastguard faces ‘unprecedented strain’ as tensions rise on 3 fronts

Illustration: Henry Wong

Chinese and Philippine coastguards have been involved in a series of confrontations this year. Photo: Reuters

Chinese and Japanese coastguards confront each other near the Diaoyu, or Senkaku, Islands. Photo: Reuters

The force is expanding its fleet rapidly as it confronts major challenges – especially from the Philippines in the South China Sea.


Legal complexities add to Beijing’s South China Sea disputes with its neighbours

 Illustration: Lee Ka-kuen

An image provided by the Philippines’ armed forces of an encounter between the Chinese coastguard and a Philippine resupply mission at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on June 17. Photo: AP

China and Vietnam have competing claims in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

Rival claimants in the disputed waterway have lodged submissions to the UN but experts say China may not want to follow suit.


South China Sea: what is Beijing’s ‘maritime militia’ and how does it support the PLA?

A Philippine resupply vessel on its way to Second Thomas Shoal on May 4 is intercepted by the Chinese coastguard. Photo: AP

Maritime militia boats sail with a Chinese coastguard ship (upper left) at Scarborough Shoal on February 16. Photo: AFP

Hundreds of fishing vessels used as auxiliary forces are ‘floating pieces of sovereignty’ that help the PLA with surveillance, reclamation support and disaster relief.


Tensions are mounting in the South China Sea – a hotly contested and globally significant waterway that’s become a flashpoint for conflict. In this four-part series, we look at why it’s so critical for Beijing, whether the Chinese coastguard can maintain pressure on multiple fronts and more.


Series