China does not control all of South China Sea

China does not have any sovereignty over the South China Sea, other than the internationally agreed territorial waters off its coasts. Its highly controversial “Nine Dash Line” is not an international treaty and is no more than a note of intention that the Communist government inherited from the previous nationalist government that it defeated in 1950. Therefore, the littoral states of the South China Sea are right to resist Chinese expansionism onto the reefs and atolls of the Paracel and Spratly Islands, that are nowhere near China’s territorial waters. Most of these littoral states have alliances with the United States, which has backed them up by repeatedly saying that it will enforce the international right of passage through international waters.

The relationship with China and its neighbours must be based on mutual respect, which requires all sides to follow international conventions. The looming clash in the South China Sea can be avoided by an agreement that international law should prevail and any direct challenge should be avoided, even if other South China Sea states must insist on their legal rights by peaceful means, as well as by direct negotiations.