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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

China's Singing Sailors: A New Weapon in South China Sea Propaganda War

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • China is using songs and music videos, like "I Miss You On the South China Sea," as a propaganda tool to assert its claims in the disputed waterway.
  • The songs aim to humanize Chinese Coast Guard sailors and promote devotion to the motherland, often omitting the complex geopolitical history.
  • This effort coincides with the 10th anniversary of an international tribunal ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims, a ruling China refuses to recognize.

China is employing a novel tactic in its ongoing campaign to assert control over the South China Sea: patriotic songs and music videos. One such example, "I Miss You On the South China Sea," released by Chinese state media, uses emotional melodies and imagery of coast guard vessels to foster a sense of devotion to the nation and its maritime presence.

Patrolling the South China Sea, guarding every sunrise and moonset over the sea.

— SingerLyrics from the song 'I Miss You On the South China Sea,' expressing devotion to maritime patrol duties.

The song's lyrics, such as "Patrolling the South China Sea, guarding every sunrise and moonset over the sea," and "Guarding you and me in my heart, and our beloved motherland," aim to humanize the sailors serving on the vast flotilla of Chinese Coast Guard ships. The accompanying music video features idyllic scenes of patrol boats, dolphins, and coral reefs, creating a romanticized portrayal of maritime duties.

This artistic push comes almost exactly 10 years after an international tribunal ruled that Beijing's sweeping claims to the South China Sea lacked legal basis. The tribunal, established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, found China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights. However, China has consistently refused to accept or recognize this ruling.

Guarding you and me in my heart, and our beloved motherland.

— SingerLyrics from the song 'I Miss You On the South China Sea,' linking personal affection with national allegiance.

Experts suggest these cultural initiatives are part of a broader propaganda strategy to reinforce China's territorial claims and shape public perception. The songs often omit the contentious history and the international legal challenges to China's assertions, focusing instead on national pride and the dedication of its maritime personnel. This softer approach complements more assertive actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard in the disputed waters, where tensions with neighboring countries, particularly the Philippines, remain high.

We reaffirm that the Award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone and is final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines.

— Joint Statement (Australia, US, Philippines, etc.)Reaffirming the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration ruling.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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