South China Sea: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 11, 2026

News •

China and ASEAN make progress on South China Sea pact but can't finish talks this year • Nov. 11, 2026, 6:33 PM ET (AP)

Photos

Map showing the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Yellow Sea, highlighting physical features such as seas, islands, peninsulas, and ocean depth contours. The map also marks international boundaries, major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Manila, and Hanoi, and features a locator inset indicating the region's position in East and Southeast Asia.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Krakatoa (Krakatau) volcano

Physical map of the South China Sea region highlighting the Spratly Islands and surrounding features. The map shows water depths with shaded blue gradients, labels major island groups such as the Spratly and Paracel Islands, and marks nearby countries including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Taiwan. Key reefs, banks, and shoals are labeled in red, and a depth legend is included in the lower right corner.

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Topics

Philippine Sea Sea of Japan / East Sea Bering Sea and Strait Yellow Sea Sea of Okhotsk East China Sea Coral Sea Tasman Sea Inland Sea Sulu Sea

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Water and its Varying Forms

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