Chinese researchers are urging greater coordination among the country's maritime authorities to counter a US strategy that has intensified pressure on Beijing across three critical waterways in the first island chain.
The push highlights a shift in Washington's approach, aiming to force China to overextend its military and diplomatic resources across multiple fronts simultaneously.
The three flashpoints include the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea.
Analysts warn that this multi-front pressure complicates Beijing's ability to project power and maintain control over its near-seas periphery.
For global trade, the escalation raises the risk of disruptions to key shipping routes that handle a significant portion of global container and energy flows.
This development follows recent diplomatic moves by China, including calls for the US and Iran to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.