China's Claim to the South China Sea: Unraveling the Motives

China claims almost the entire South China Sea based on its "nine-dash line", despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 that the line has no legal basis. The line, featured in China's national map, allows Beijing to assert its "maritime territorialization" and justify its exceptionalism. China's historical claim to the South China Sea dates back centuries, but it has faced challenges from Western explorers and neighboring countries. The dispute over the South China Sea is fueled by its strategic importance as a major trade route and potential oil and gas deposits. Despite an arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines, China continues to assert its sovereignty and build islands in the disputed waters, leading to increasing tensions with neighboring countries.