China Sea

China Sea, the portion of the Pacific Ocean to the east of China and Siam, extending, in the widest application of the term, from Corea to Borneo. This extensive body of water falls into three divisions: the Yellow Sea (Chinese, Whang-hai), between Corea and North China, with the gulfs of Pechili and Leatong, and Corea Bay; the Eastern China Sea (Tung-hai), from about 32° N. lat. to the Tropic of Cancer; and the South China Sea (Nan-hai), from Formosa to Borneo, with the Philippines on the east, and forming the great gulfs of Tonquin and Siam. Many geographers limit the term to this last division. See ASIA; and for the twin dangers, typhoons and pirates, that have combined to render the navigation of these waters notoriously perilous, see separate articles under these heads.