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None of it has happened — and an armada of Chinese fishing boats, coast guard cutters and a giant vessel dubbed the “Monster” are making sure it won’t anytime soon. Never miss an episode. Follow the Big Take podcast on iHeart , Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen. Read the transcript . Stretching from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan down to Malaysia and Indonesia, the South China Sea is a critical artery for global trade, including about 37% of the world’s maritime crude. Along with being a traditional fishing ground for surrounding nations, the US Energy Information Administration estimates the region contains approximately 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 40.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in proven and probable reserves.
"Without Malampaya, the economy will collapse in Luzon — there will be daily brownouts from 12 to 14 hours," said retired Philippine Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. “Factories will close and investors will just leave the Philippines. It’s really a matter of national survival for the country and political survival for Marcos.”
In an encounter late last year, a Philippines convoy was on a resupply mission to the Sierra Madre when five Chinese craft maneuvered to impede it, some pulling up right along side. Pressed about the Philippines’ new approach, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin warned that “the exploration of resources in the South China Sea should not harm China’s territorial sovereignty.” In a clear reference to the US, Wang added that “no one shall draw forces outside the region into the issues.”
One tool China has frequently used to enforce its claims near Vietnam is the CCG 5901, a coast guard vessel based out of Hainan Island that is better known as the “Monster.” “The island building has been decisive,” said Greg Poling, head of the Southeast Asia program at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Without it China wouldn’t have the sensing capabilities to see all this Southeast Asian activity and respond almost immediately.”