Strategic background
China's Paracel Islands, located on the coast of the South China Sea, have a limited land area, but they cover hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of water. Among them, Zhongsha Qundao is located in the northbound to Taiwan, Shanghai, and the necessary place for Japanese and Korean merchant ships, and has great strategic value. However, for a long time, China has not established a military presence in the Zhongsha Islands, resulting in a mismatch between its strategic position and actual concerns.
The potential of the Great Atoll of Zhongsha Island
Zhongsha Atoll, as part of the Zhongsha Islands, has excellent garrison conditions. This atoll, which rises from the deep sea to the surface, provides excellent conditions for the construction of submarine bases. In addition, its geographical location controls important international shipping routes in the South China Sea, which is crucial for stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea. The ecological environment is rich and provides rich marine resources, including coral reef rocks and marine life.
Problems and challenges
Despite all these advantages, its development is constrained by two major constraints. First of all, due to the large distribution of dark sands, the cost of land reclamation is high and development is difficult. Secondly, the strategic position of Zhongsha Atoll is overshadowed by Huangyan Dao, and the dispute over the latter has led to the relative neglect of the development of Zhongsha Atoll.
Future developments and recommendations
China should pay more attention to the strategic value of the Sino-Saudi Atoll and make it an important base for stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea and protecting marine ecology through full development and rational strategic layout. At the same time, we will strengthen maritime monitoring and patrols, stop illegal fisheries, protect the marine environment, and ensure the long-term development and safety of Zhongsha Atoll. Finally, through active development and utilization, Zhongsha Atoll is expected to become a strategic fulcrum in the central part of the South China Sea, making important contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty and marine ecological balance.