Part 4/14:

China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea are rooted in the so-called nine-dash line, first appearing on Chinese maps in 1947. This U-shaped boundary claims about 90% of the total disputed waters, including areas like Scarborough Shoal, which is well within the Philippine EEZ. Beijing asserts these rights based on historical claims, viewing the region as a core national interest, comparable in importance to issues like Tibet and Taiwan.