China claims almost all of the 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

China has impeded commercial activity like fishing or mineral exploration by countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.…

This news comes via ChinaPulse.com, which delivers news, data, analysis, and insights on Chinese business, travel, finance, health, military, investment, and technology.