Nine Dash Line

 Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• China’s claim over almost the entire South China Sea through the nine-dash line has been at the source of conflict with other island nations in the region.

Nine Dash Line

• A nine-dash line is a disputed boundary claimed by China in the South China Sea. The line is composed of nine dashes, which were first drawn on a 1947 Chinese map. 
• The line is claimed to coincide with China’s historical maritime claims, but its precise definition and extent are unclear. 
• The line is surrounded by several countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, which reject China’s claims and assert their own territorial rights over the disputed waters. 
• The line has been a major source of tension and conflict in the region.