> They're doing this because of the oil in the area It's not really about the oil, if it does exist. It's about control of their eastern border and access to t

> They're doing this because of the oil in the area It's not really about the oil, if it does exist. It's about control of their eastern border and access to the pacific ocean, especially in the context of all the neighbouring countries being US allies and potentially being usable by the US in the case of a conflict. Simply put, if China doesn't control the South China Sea, then they can be blockaded. If they control it, then they can't. Sea access is incredibly important - for military, economic, food and energy security. Their actions in the SCS are a no-brainer from their perspective and the only surprising thing is why it took them so long.