The escalating tensions in the South China Sea have been ratcheted up a notch with a statement by a senior minister in Beijing that China will continue to build military and civilian facilities on reefs that it has turned into artificial islands. The construction is an effort to boost China’s territorial claims in the area contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Burnei, Malaysia and Taiwan. Simply put, China has adopted the policy that if it builds up its airstrip and other facilities there, its tenuous territorial claim will be accepted.
In the past few weeks, this aggressive claim has resulted in Washington ordering a guided-missile destroyer to sail close to the artificial islands in a freedom of navigation exercise. Beijing acted furiously to the move, making bellicose noises but not enough to deter the United States from flying two B-52 bombers over the airstrip. These massive bombers — the epitome of America’s air power and strategic reach — sent a clear message that Washington stands firm with its regional allies, doesn’t accept Beijing’s territorial claim, opposes its construction of facilities and will use its military clout to defend the principles of freedom of navigation and airspace.
This conflict seems to be heading for greater tensions and it seems as if there is no reasoning with any of the parties involved. The United Nations Charter of the Sea needs to be respected. And the sooner all of the parties meet in a summit, the better for all.
