Why the West Philippine Sea is a Strategic Prize for China?
The West Philippine Sea is crucial to China for several reasons:
1. **Military Advantage**: Control allows China to project power and enhance its defense capabilities by establishing strategic outposts and militarizing islands.
2. **Economic Resources**: The region is rich in oil, natural gas, and fisheries, providing vital resources for China's energy needs and food security.
3. **Trade Routes**: It's a key maritime corridor for global trade. Dominance ensures the security of crucial shipping lanes and economic influence.
4. **Regional Influence**: Dominance reinforces China's geopolitical power in Southeast Asia, allowing it to assert territorial claims and exert pressure on neighboring countries.
5. **National Sovereignty**: Control over the region is seen as a matter of national pride and sovereignty, supporting the Chinese government’s legitimacy.
6. **Strategic Infrastructure**: Constructed and militarized artificial islands serve as bases for extending China's reach and sustaining long-term strategic presence.
