The Nine-Dash Line

The Nine-Dash Line is a boundary used by China to claim a large part of the South China Sea, encompassing numerous islands, reefs, and waters. It originated from historical maps and is marked by nine dashes on Chinese maps, symbolizing their territorial claims. Many neighboring countries, like Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, contest these claims, citing international law and their own sovereignty. The line does not correspond to internationally recognized borders, making it a source of ongoing regional disputes over control, navigation rights, and access to underwater resources.