Chapter 2: China — The Great Wall and the Nine-Dash Line
China is surrounded by barriers: the Himalayas, the Gobi Desert, the Pacific. For millennia these kept it isolated and unified. Now China is building its way out — artificial islands, Belt and Road, and a navy to control the seas it was once trapped behind.
Explore more content
Browse our collection of courses and comics on topics that matter.
Browse ComicsTranscript
China: a civilization forged by natural barriers. Himalayas, Gobi Desert, and Pacific Ocean shaped its isolation and enduring unity for millennia.
Yet, within these defenses lies China's fertile heartland. Yellow and Yangtze Rivers nourished eastern plains, fostering agriculture that fed an empire.
Beyond the heartland, China's vast western territories hold strategic value. Tibet, source of Asia's rivers; Xinjiang, a vital buffer against Central Asian threats.
The South China Sea, a contested expanse. Artificial islands and military bases secure claims over vital trade routes, asserting regional dominance.
A critical vulnerability remains. 80% of China's oil traverses the narrow Malacca Strait, a chokepoint controlled by others.
To circumvent this, China builds new pathways. The Belt and Road weaves railroads, pipelines, and ports across continents, reshaping global trade.
The First Island Chain: a final geographic hurdle. Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines block naval access, making Taiwan key to ocean power.
