China is creating artificial islands in the South China Sea to expand its military capacity, fortify control over the region, and secure its coastline due to the strategic and economic importance of the area.
China is building islands in the South China Sea as part of their strategic effort to expand their military capacity and presence in the region. This initiative is connected with the idea of securing their coastline and expanding their influence due to the strategic importance of the South China Sea, which is a major thoroughfare for international trade and holds potential natural resource reserves. Additionally, the current complex geopolitical relations, including those with Taiwan and the United States, add to China's motives to fortify control and assert its territorial claims.
China's initiative aims to reduce its vulnerability along its coastline, where their Special Economic Zones (SEZs) attract foreign business, vital for China's economic prosperity. Moreover, the islands serve to strengthen China's claim over this disputed area, which is also rich with the potential for natural resources like oil and gas. The creation of these artificial islands has geopolitical implications, including the potential to project power and influence in a region where numerous countries have competing territorial claims.