The South China Sea continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability of global trade and supply chains, according to a comprehensive report released in Beijing. Compiled by Dalian Maritime University’s think tank, the *Report on Shipping Safety and Development in the South China Sea (2025)* analyzed data from 2021 to 2024, mapping port traffic, shipping routes, and cargo flows. The study underscores the region’s critical importance in global trade, energy security, and regional cooperation. The report reveals that the South China Sea acts as a ‘super suture,’ connecting 29 major ports and 14 sea lanes, facilitating trade across key economic regions. It handles 40% of global ship docking volume and 30% of container transport, linking major economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN nations, Australia, and Africa. Ship density in the region surpasses that of the Caribbean, Baltic, and Mediterranean, solidifying its status as a global maritime hub. Jia Peng, the report’s executive managing editor, emphasized the sea’s role as a ‘security ballast’ for global shipping and a ‘strategic artery’ for energy and trade, carrying significant volumes of crude oil, LNG, and soybeans. Zhang Haiwen, deputy chief of the Chinese Society of the Law of the Sea, highlighted the region’s free and safe navigation, crucial for global trade and sustainable development. Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, reiterated China’s commitment to maintaining open sea lanes and contributing to regional maritime safety and stability.