Table of Contents
- 1. U.S. actions in the South China Sea: Freedom of Navigation or Maritime Hegemony?
- 2. “Willful Trespassing” Undermines Regional Stability
- 3. The U.S. and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
- 4. The South china Sea: A Tug-of-War Between Dialog and Provocation
- 5. Freedom of Navigation vs. “Willful Trespassing”
- 6. Shifting U.S. Focus and the Rise of Alliances
“Willful Trespassing” Undermines Regional Stability
A recent report by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), a Beijing-based think tank, highlights the increasing frequency and proximity of U.S. military aircraft near Chinese airspace. The report states that approximately 100 aircraft sorties approach the airspace of mainland China and Hainan island annually, with most flying within 30 nautical miles of China’s territorial waters’ baseline. The report cites a specific instance on December 8, 2022, when a U.S. P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait, coming within less than 13 nautical miles of the baseline point of the territorial sea in Fuzhou. This near incursion into Chinese airspace raises concerns about the true intentions behind such “freedom of navigation” operations. The SCSPI report also points to a trend of increasingly aggressive close-in reconnaissance by the U.S.military against China in the South China Sea. Despite these provocative actions, extra-regional countries like the U.S.frequently enough disguise them as “freedom of navigation” exercises.The U.S. and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Yang Xiao argues that the U.S.’s actions contradict the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a cornerstone of modern maritime order. He points out that the U.S. has yet to ratify the convention while selectively applying its rules to suit its own interests. Yang further criticizes the U.S. for introducing the FON program even before the UN convention was enacted, suggesting its purpose was to challenge other nations’ maritime rights. “Yang emphasized that the so-called U.S. FON is fundamentally different from…”The South china Sea: A Tug-of-War Between Dialog and Provocation
The South China Sea has become a focal point of geopolitical tension, with the United States and China locked in a complex interplay of diplomacy and strategic maneuvering. While China emphasizes dialogue and negotiations to resolve disputes, the U.S.has taken a more assertive approach,challenging what it perceives as excessive maritime claims and forming alliances to counter China’s growing influence. Yang Xiao, a prominent Chinese scholar, argues that the root of the problem lies in the U.S.’s desire to maintain its maritime dominance. He criticizes the U.S. for demanding greater rights than other nations while refusing to share maritime interests or acknowledge the legitimate claims of others.The United States has conducted frequent “freedom of navigation operations” (FONOPS) in the South China Sea, challenging what it considers to be unlawful maritime claims by China and other nations. However, Chinese officials condemn these operations as “willful trespassing,” asserting that there is a crucial difference between navigating international waters and deliberately infringing upon a nation’s sovereignty. Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National defense, has stated that China firmly opposes any unlawful provocations carried out under the guise of “freedom of navigation,” which threaten regional peace and security.
Shifting U.S. Focus and the Rise of Alliances
yang Xiao points out that the U.S. initially focused its FONOPS on countries like Vietnam, malaysia, and the Philippines, but shifted its attention towards china after implementing its “Rebalance to Asia” strategy.This strategic shift, spanning administrations from Obama to Biden, has intensified U.S. provocations and destabilized the South China sea region. Furthermore, the U.S. has actively encouraged and supported certain countries, like the Philippines, to challenge China’s claims in the South China Sea. This support, including intelligence sharing, military aid, and tactical training, has heightened tensions and complex efforts to find peaceful resolutions. In contrast to these actions,China has consistently advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation,favoring a cooperative approach to maintain regional stability. “When you sit down together for communication and consultation, it can be positive for regional peace and stability. When you fail to keep promises, it will only create trouble for yourself and neighboring countries,” said yang. Alongside its direct engagement, the U.S. is working to build alliances around china, forming groups like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and several European countries. While these countries have no direct involvement in the South China Sea, their participation in such alliances aims to counter China’s influence and project a united front. Despite these challenges, Yang Xiao highlights the positive steps taken by China and ASEAN countries to promote peace and stability. Through bilateral and multilateral dialogue, countries like malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam are working with China to find amicable solutions to their maritime disputes. “So who is on the side of peace and cooperation? Who is on the side of provocation and destruction? The world shoudl see that very clearly.” yang emphasized, “this is where the biggest challenge to peace and stability in the South China sea lies.” When designing websites, choosing the right CSS unit for sizing elements is crucial. Two popular options, pixels (px) and relative ems (rem), each offer distinct advantages and drawbacks. Pixels (px) vs. Relative Ems (rem) Pixels provide a fixed size,ensuring elements appear the same across all devices. This can be beneficial for achieving precise visual layouts. Though, this fixed nature can lead to accessibility issues. Users who adjust their browser’s default font size might find text too small or too large, impacting readability. Relative ems, on the other hand, scale based on the user’s default font size. This adaptability improves accessibility as users can customize their viewing experience without compromising layout integrity. However, achieving consistent sizing across different devices and browsers might require more effort with rem units, as calculations need to account for varying default font sizes. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your project’s specific needs and priorities. For projects prioritizing precise layouts and consistency across devices,pixels might be a suitable option. in contrast, if accessibility and adaptability are paramount, relative ems offer a more flexible and user-amiable approach.
## Understanding the South China Sea: An Interview with Yang Xiao
**Archyde:** The South China Sea has become a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, with the U.S. and China engaging in a complex dance of diplomacy and strategic posturing. Today, we are joined by marine expert Yang Xiao from the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) to unpack this intricate situation.
Mr. Yang, could you shed some light on how the U.S. justifies its presence and actions in the South China Sea?
**Yang Xiao:** The United States frequently cites “Freedom of Navigation” (FON) as the rationale for its military activities in the region. However,I believe the U.S.is using FON as a geopolitical tool to maintain its maritime dominance. By inciting allies like the Philippines to create disputes and forming small coalitions, the U.S. seeks to foster tension and jeopardize regional stability.
**Archyde:** This notion of FON as a tool for maintaining dominance is gaining traction. Can you elaborate on this perspective?
**Yang xiao:** While the U.S. champions the concept of free happen, its actions often contradict the spirit of true freedom of navigation. Take, such as, their refusal to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLOS) while selectively applying its rules to suit their own interests. Moreover, the U.S. initiated the FON program even before UNCLOS was enacted, suggesting its purpose was to challenge other nations’ maritime rights.
**Archyde:** China, however, advocates for dialog and negotiation as the path to resolving disputes in the South China Sea. how do these contrasting approaches contribute to the tensions?
**Yang Xiao:** Indeed, China has consistently emphasized a cooperative approach based on dialogue and negotiations to address disputes and maintain regional stability. This stands in stark contrast to the increasingly provocative actions of the U.S., whose “Freedom of Navigation” operations often cross the line into what China perceives as “willful trespassing.”
**Archyde:** There have been reports of increased U.S. military activity near Chinese airspace.Could you elaborate on these incidents and their implications?
**Yang Xiao:** A recent report by the South china Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) highlights a disturbing trend of U.S. military aircraft flying near Chinese airspace with increasing frequency and proximity. This includes instances where aircraft have approached within mere nautical miles of mainland China’s territorial waters. These actions raise serious concerns about the true intentions behind these so-called “freedom of navigation” exercises.
**Archyde:** What are the potential consequences of this escalating tension in the South China Sea?
**Yang xiao:** The current trajectory is fraught with risk. If left unchecked, the ongoing provocations and the “willful trespassing” could lead to miscalculation and even accidental conflict. This would have disastrous consequences for regional stability and the global economy.
**Archyde:**
Is there a path towards de-escalation and a more cooperative approach in the South China Sea?
**Yang Xiao:**
Yes,I believe dialogue and mutual understanding are crucial. All parties involved need to prioritize diplomacy and work towards establishing a stable and predictable maritime order based on international law. China’s commitment to dialogue and negotiation remains firm, and it is my hope that the U.S. will reciprocate these efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
**Archyde:**
Thank you, Mr. Yang, for sharing your valuable insights into this complex and critical issue.
