South China Sea

The South China Sea, a vast expanse of the Western Pacific, is a vital waterway cradled by diverse coastlines. To its north lies China, while the west is embraced by the Indochinese Peninsula. The east is marked by the Philippines, with Taiwan standing sentinel, and to the south, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Bangka Belitung Islands form its boundary. This immense sea, spanning roughly 3.5 million square kilometers, is a nexus of global connections, linking to the East China Sea through the Taiwan Strait, the Philippine Sea via the Luzon Strait, and the Sulu Sea through the passages around Palawan. It also flows into the Java Sea through the Karimata and Bangka Straits, and directly into the Gulf of Thailand, which itself is an integral part of the South China Sea.

This strategic location makes it a bustling highway for global trade. In 2016 alone, a staggering $3.4 trillion of the world’s $16 trillion in maritime shipping navigated its waters. Beyond its economic significance, the South China Sea is also a treasure trove of natural resources, holding substantial reserves of oil and natural gas. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in global food security, contributing a significant 14% to the world’s commercial fishing in the Western Central Pacific in 2010.

Scattered across this maritime domain are numerous island clusters, archipelagos, and atolls, mostly small and uninhabited. These islands, along with the sea itself, are at the heart of competing sovereignty claims, leading to a rich tapestry of names and a complex geopolitical landscape.

A Sea of Names: Unraveling the Etymology of the South China Sea

The South China Sea, a name familiar in English and echoed across European languages, carries a history rooted in early maritime exploration and trade. Portuguese sailors in the 16th century first charted it as the “China Sea” (Mare da China), a testament to its significance as a route to the lucrative markets of China. As exploration expanded, the need to distinguish it from other bodies of water led to its eventual designation as the “South China Sea.” The International Hydrographic Organization officially recognizes it as such, also acknowledging its ancient Chinese name, “Nan Hai” (South Sea).

Echoes of Antiquity: Chinese Nomenclature

The sea’s connection with China stretches back millennia. The earliest recorded Chinese name, “Nanfang Hai” (Southern Sea), appears in the Yi Zhou Shu, a chronicle from the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BCE). This name reflects ancient accounts of “barbarians” from the sea offering tributes of hawksbill sea turtles to the Zhou rulers. Later, during the Spring and Autumn period (771–476 BCE), texts like the Classic of Poetry, Zuo Zhuan, and Guoyu referred to it as “Nan Hai” (South Sea), in the context of expeditions by the State of Chu. “Nan Hai” was one of the “Four Seas” in Chinese literature, each representing a cardinal direction. During the Eastern Han dynasty (23–220 CE), it was known as “Zhang Hai” (distended sea), and by the Southern and Northern dynasties, “Fei Hai” (boiling sea) gained popularity. The current name, “Nan Hai” (South Sea), became widely adopted during the Qing dynasty.

A Crossroads of Cultures: Southeast Asian Perspectives

Beyond China, the South China Sea has been known by various names, reflecting the diverse cultures and histories of the region. For centuries, it was referred to as the “Champa Sea” or “Sea of Cham,” honoring the maritime kingdom of Champa, which thrived in present-day Central Vietnam before the 16th century.

During World War II, Japan occupied much of Southeast Asia, bringing the region under its naval control. Japan’s name for the sea, “Minami Shina Kai,” literally translates to “South China Sea.” Initially written as 南支那海，the spelling was updated to 南シナ海 in 2004 by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, which is now the standard usage.

In Vietnam, the sea is known as “Biển Đông,” meaning “East Sea.” In Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the name “South China Sea” (or its local equivalents like Tagalog: Dagat Timog Tsina and Malay: Laut Cina Selatan) has long been prevalent. The portion within Philippine waters is often called the “Luzon Sea” (Dagat Luzon).

Modern Reclamations and Disputes

In recent times, geopolitical tensions have led to the adoption of new names. Following an escalation of the Spratly Islands dispute in 2011, the Philippines began using “West Philippine Sea” for the parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone, including the Luzon Sea and waters around the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. This designation was officially mandated by Administrative Order No. 29 in September 2012.

Similarly, Indonesia, in an assertion of its sovereignty, renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in July 2017 as the “North Natuna Sea.” This area lies north of the Indonesian Natuna Islands and borders Vietnam’s southern exclusive economic zone. Indonesia also designates the waters south of Natuna Island within its territorial waters as the “Natuna Sea.” These recent naming conventions highlight the ongoing complexities and competing claims surrounding this vital maritime region.

Hydrography

The South China Sea is bordered by a string of nations and territories, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Vietnam, moving clockwise from the north. A multitude of significant rivers empty into its waters, such as the Pearl, Min, Jiulong, Red, Mekong, Menam, Rajang, Baram, Kapuas, Batang Hari, Musi, Kampar, Indragiri, Pahang, Agno, Pampanga, and Pasig Rivers.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), in its 1953 publication “Limits of Oceans and Seas,” outlines the precise boundaries of the South China Sea as follows:

Southern and Western Boundaries: Straits, Islands, and Continents

The southern and western edges of the South China Sea are defined by a complex series of lines connecting geographical points. Starting with the Singapore and Malacca Straits, the boundary extends from Tanjong Datok in Johore, through Horsburgh Reef, to Pulo Koko on Bintan Island. It then follows the northeastern coast of Sumatra westward to Tanjong Kedabu. The boundary continues down Sumatra’s east coast to Lucipara Point, then to Tanjong Nanka on Banka Island, marking the transition to the Java Sea. It traverses Banka Island to Tanjong Berikat and then to Tanjong Djemang in Billiton. Following Billiton’s north coast to Tanjong Boeroeng Mandi, the boundary concludes with a line to Tanjong Sambar, the southwestern tip of Borneo.

Eastern Frontier: Islands and Archipelagos

The eastern boundary is a sweeping arc across numerous islands and reefs. From Tanjong Sambar on Borneo, it traces the west coast of Borneo to Tanjong Sampanmangio. A line then connects to the western points of Balabac and Secam Reefs, proceeds to the western point of Bancalan Island, and reaches Cape Buliluyan, the southwestern point of Palawan. The boundary traverses Palawan to Cabuli Point, then extends to the northwest point of Busuanga and Cape Calavite on Mindoro. It continues to the northwest point of Lubang Island, then to Point Fuego on Luzon Island. Following Luzon’s coast to Cape Engano, the northeastern point, the boundary then links to the east point of Balintang Island and further to the east point of Y’Ami Island. Finally, it reaches Garan Bi, the southern point of Taiwan (Formosa), and traces Taiwan’s northeastern point, Santyo.

Northern Limit: A Parallel and Coastline

The northern boundary is defined by a line from Fuki Kaku, Taiwan’s northernmost point, to Kiushan Tao (Turnabout Island). It then proceeds to the southern point of Haitan Tao and continues westward along the parallel of 25°24′ North until it meets the coast of Fukien on the mainland.

Western Edge: Mainland and Peninsula

The western limit is demarcated by the mainland of Asia, the southern boundary of the Gulf of Thailand, and the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula.

The South China Sea is dotted with a vast archipelago of over 250 features, including islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs, and sandbars. The majority of these are uninhabited, and many are submerged at high tide, with some permanently underwater. Key among these features are the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands, Pratas Island and the Vereker Banks, Macclesfield Bank, and Scarborough Shoal.

The Spratly Islands: A Dispersed Archipelago

The Spratly Islands, a sprawling collection of approximately 175 identified features, cover an area of roughly 810 by 900 kilometers. The largest among them is Taiping Island (Itu Aba), measuring just over 1.3 kilometers in length and reaching an elevation of 3.8 meters.

Reed Tablemount: A Submerged Giant

Within the Spratly Islands, the most significant feature is the Reed Tablemount, also known as Reed Bank. This submerged seamount, approximately 100 kilometers wide, lies in the northeastern part of the archipelago, separated from the Philippines’ Palawan Island by the Palawan Trench. Once an island, it became completely submerged around 7,000 years ago due to rising sea levels after the last ice age, with its highest point now lying 20 meters below the surface. Spanning an impressive 8,866 square kilometers, Reed Bank is recognized as one of the world’s largest submerged atoll structures.