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China claims an expansive swathe of the South China Sea and the different islands it encompasses, putting itself at odds with other countries and territories in the region. Clashes between the Chinese coastguard and its neighbours, especially the Philippines, and declarations by Chinese officials show that Beijing sees control over the South China Sea as of the utmost importance. In the past several years, China has pursued the goal of securing the sea for multiple reasons. These include the South China Sea’s economic importance, its historical and national significance and geopolitical aspects, both from a defensive military point of view and for a potential conflict over Taiwan.
