Why China is weighing into the debate on how to respond to shrinking coastlines
Por Alyssa Chen — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Pacific nations China Diplomacy Why China is weighing into the debate on how to respond to shrinking coastlines
Rising sea levels are not an existential threat to China, but their impact on international law could have a knock-on effect in other areas
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Alyssa Chen Published: 2:35pm, 21 Sep 2026 Updated: 2:44pm, 21 Sep 2026 For low-lying Pacific island states such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, rising sea levels are not just an existential crisis but also one that calls into question the very foundations of statehood.
At the heart of this lies a contentious question: should maritime boundaries shift with changing coastlines, or should they be frozen in place?
The answer carries profound implications not only for the survival of vulnerable islands but also for the rest of the world.
Some analysts have argued that China should position itself as both a legal advocate and technical partner for Pacific nations to offer tangible support – such as surveying expertise, coastal protection technology and advocacy for fixed maritime boundaries.
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