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South China Sea

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean and one of the world's most strategically important maritime regions.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean and one of the world's most strategically important maritime regions. It borders several Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan, and it is the focus of overlapping territorial and maritime disputes. The sea is also a major shipping corridor and an important fishing and energy resource area.

Geography

The South China Sea stretches between the Strait of Malacca in the southwest and the Taiwan Strait in the northeast. It is bordered by southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Strategic and economic importance

The sea is a major global shipping route connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is also important for fisheries and is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon resources.

Territorial disputes

The South China Sea is the subject of long-running disputes over islands, reefs, waters, and maritime rights. Competing claims involve China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, with Indonesia affected in nearby waters.

International law and diplomacy

Disputes in the sea have prompted arbitration, naval patrols, and diplomatic tensions. The area remains a central issue in regional security and international maritime law.

Key facts

  • The South China Sea is a marginal sea in the western Pacific Ocean bounded by the Asian mainland and several island states and archipelagos.
  • Its surface area is commonly given as about 3.5 million square kilometres.
  • It is one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world and a major route for international trade.
  • The region contains disputed islands, reefs, and maritime zones, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
  • The sea is valued for fisheries and for potential oil and natural gas resources.
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Canadian context

The South China Sea matters to Canada because it is a major global trade route and a key issue in Indo-Pacific security, which affects Canadian commercial shipping, diplomacy, and regional policy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the South China Sea?
It is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, bordered by several Southeast Asian states and Taiwan, and known for its strategic shipping routes and disputed waters.
Why is the South China Sea important?
It is a major trade route, a rich fishing ground, and a region believed to contain significant oil and natural gas resources.
Which countries claim territory in the South China Sea?
China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims; Indonesia is also affected by nearby maritime disputes.
What are the main disputed features?
The best-known disputed features include the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal, along with surrounding maritime zones.
Where is the South China Sea located?
It lies between southern China and Taiwan to the north and east, and Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore to the west and south.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_China_Sea
    Supports: General geography, area, and bordering regions
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/South-China-Sea
    Supports: Geographic boundaries, area, and mean depth
  3. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/article/world/factbox-the-south-china-seas-disputed-maritime-borders-idUSTRE7AC01F/
    Supports: Shipping importance, resources, and dispute participants
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349
    Supports: Overview of the territorial dispute and claimant states
  5. U.S. Energy Information Administration — https://www.eia.gov/international/content/analysis/regions_of_interest/South_China_Sea/south_china_sea.pdf
    Supports: Trade route importance, LNG and petroleum transit, and energy significance
  6. Congressional Research Service — https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF10607/IF10607.13.pdf
    Supports: Nature of sovereignty disputes and China's dashed-line claims