Overlapping claims in the South China Sea threaten to turn the region into a flashpoint of global concern. Learn why the South China Sea is a major geopolitical hotspot, with competing claims, rising militarization, and efforts at regional cooperation. Explore how China ’s claims over the South China Sea have antagonized competing countries and track the latest developments with CFR's Global Conflict Tracker. About South China Sea (SCS) Geographical location of SCS The SCS is an arm of the western Pacific Ocean around Southeast Asia. It is located in south of China , east and south of Vietnam, west of the Philippines, and north of Borneo. It contains more than 200 mostly uninhabitable small islands, rocks and reefs. The Conflict 1992: China lays claim to the entire SCS based on its historical right to the area dating from the Western Han dynasty. 2016: Permanent Court of Arbitration rules in favor ...
