China may convert more navy ships into patrol vessels for the South China Sea, the China Daily on Thursday quoted an official as saying. Such a move would cause alarm in several other countries in the region that also claim all or part of the maritime territory.
Here are some questions and answers about the situation:
Why would China increase patrols?
China is responding to increased illegal fishing and unfounded territorial claims to islands in China's exclusive economic zone, according to Wu Zhuang, director of the Administration of Fishery and Fishing Harbour Supervision.
Whether or not illegal fishing is a real economic concern, the South China Sea is crisscrossed by shipping lanes that are absolutely essential to China's economy.
Over half of the world's oil tankers pass through the South China Sea, as does 80% of China's oil imports.
It is also home to two tiny island chains, the Spratlys and the Paracels, which are believed to be resource-rich, and which are the subject of a heated multilateral territorial dispute.
Control of the South China shipping lanes, and therefore its energy imports, was central to Japan's strategy in World War Two.
Who else is involved?
China contends with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam in long-running disputes over the islands.
The United States Navy also maintains a robust presence in the area.
Are they worried?
In short, yes. China has been in the process of a major defence buildup in recent years, which it says is purely defensive. But there is suspicion among neighbours, like Vietnam and Japan, that the stronger China gets the more assertive it will become about its territorial claims.
What are the risks?
There have been military clashes in the past in the South China Sea. Just this month, Chinese vessels jostled with a US naval ship off China's southern island province of Hainan.
An increase in patrols by China may cause others to increasing their presence in the disputed waters, and the more crowded it gets the higher the chances of future conflicts.
Politically, why is this important?
Irrespective of economics, territorial disputes are particularly important to China's ruling Chinese Communist Party. The Party's legitimacy is, in part, pegged on its ability to protect China's borders and stand up for its historical territorial claims.
Control of the South China Sea and access to the Straits of Malacca is crucial to China's plans should war ever break out with Taiwan.
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/q-a-what-stake-in-south-china-sea-2569838
