East China Sea: Strategic Maritime Region of East Asia

Category: Geography / International Relations

  • The East China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean.
  • It lies between China, Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and Japan's Ryukyu Islands.
  • Important islands include the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which are subject to competing territorial claims.
  • The sea is strategically important because of shipping routes, fisheries, energy resources and military considerations.
  • It connects with the Yellow Sea to the north and the broader Pacific maritime region.

Key Pointer: East China Sea → China–Japan–Korea–Taiwan → Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands → Strategic sea route