Chinese concerned about maritime security: survey

Nearly 42 percent of young people believe the major threat that China faces comes from the ocean, according to a poll released on Tuesday by the China Youth Daily.

The newspaper's poll of 10,046 people aged between 16 and 45 found that 32.1 percent of respondents worry about the country's legal rights and interests in the South China Sea.

More than 50 percent believe China's disputes with its neighboring countries are essentially a scramble for natural resources while 36 percent consider it a battle of benefits between China and the United States.

According to the poll, 70.6 percent of respondents said China should firmly safeguard its maritime rights and interests, although more than 54 percent believe the country's defense capability at sea is not powerful enough.