The South China Sea dispute involves overlapping territorial claims from six countries and one territory: China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The conflict centers on control of strategically vital waters, hundreds of small islands, vast fishing grounds, and enormous underwater reserves of oil and natural gas. Despite a landmark international ruling in 2016, the South China Sea dispute remains unresolved, and confrontations at sea continue to occur on a near-regular basis. Background: Why Is the South China Sea So Important? To understand the South China Sea dispute, it…
Read MoreSouth China Sea Dispute: Which Countries Are Involved, What Is the History, and What Is Happening Now
