Report: Increased Chinese Patrols in the South China Sea Have Done Little to Discourage Rivals’ Oil Exploration

Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies/Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Chinese maritime authorities increased their patrols in the South China Sea by 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to new data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., particularly in waters contested by the Philippines.

But the modest increase in patrols by the China Coast Guard (CCG) did little to discourage rival claimants in the region from pursuing oil and gas projects in the South China Sea, according to the AMTI, with the exception of the Philippines:

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by Eric Olander

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