The traffic is over three times greater than the Suez Canal and five times more than the Panama Canal
• It is estimated that about 25% of the world’s crude oil and US$5 trillion in trade pass through the South China Sea annually.
• Straddling the major sea lanes of communication, the islands/islets no doubt have considerable strategic /military importance
• Control of the islands/islets affords forward posts for monitoring naval and shipping movements in the area