Beibu

Beibu, commonly referring to the Beibu Gulf (Beibu Wan in Chinese), is a gulf of the northern South China Sea. It lies between the coast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China and northern Vietnam, with its eastern and northern shores formed by Guangxi and its western edge facing Vietnam. The Beibu Gulf is typically described as the western part of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Geography and ports: The gulf hosts several coastal cities in Guangxi, including Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang, which operate port facilities and support fishing harbors. The waters of the Beibu Gulf provide sheltered routes for maritime activities and serve as a gateway for regional trade and fisheries.

Economy and development: Since the early 21st century, the Beibu Gulf area has been developed as the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, a cross-border initiative to expand port capacity, logistics, manufacturing, and tourism in Guangxi and neighboring Vietnam. The Mekong–Beibu Gulf Economic Corridor (MBGEC) is a broader development axis linking Beibu Gulf ports with inland China and Southeast Asia, aiming to enhance trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity across the region.

Environment and significance: The Beibu Gulf supports diverse marine ecosystems, including fisheries, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, contributing to regional biodiversity and livelihoods. It faces environmental pressures from shipping, industrial activity, and coastal development, prompting efforts to balance economic growth with ecological protection. The gulf remains a strategic maritime zone for China and its Southeast Asian partners, reflecting broader regional trade and cooperation dynamics in the South China Sea.