China’s military announced on Saturday that its air and naval forces are conducting maneuvers in the disputed South China Sea, specifically around Scarborough Shoal. This news comes just hours after China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, met with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, to discuss ways of easing regional tensions.
The Chinese military exercises include “routine” early warning and reconnaissance drills. The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army stated that these actions are part of their efforts to “maintain a high degree of vigilance, resolutely defending national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests.” They also emphasized their commitment to “maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Scarborough Shoal, a major point of contention in the region, is located 200 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines, within its exclusive economic zone. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the shoal, despite competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled against China’s extensive claims, stating they were not supported by international law. However, China has refused to recognize this ruling. While the tribunal did not determine sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, it acknowledged its significance as a traditional fishing ground for multiple countries.
The timing of the Chinese military maneuvers is particularly noteworthy. It follows a meeting between Wang Yi and Antony Blinken in New York, where both sides expressed their desire to avoid conflict in the South China Sea. In March, Blinken had reassured the Philippines of the US’s strong defense partnership, following accusations by Manila of aggressive actions by China’s coast guard and suspected maritime militia vessels in the region.
During the meeting, Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, while Blinken raised concerns about China’s “dangerous and destabilising actions” in the South China Sea. He also emphasized the need for improved communication between the two nations’ militaries. However, China asserted that the US should “not always stir up trouble in the South China Sea” and refrain from undermining regional efforts to maintain peace and stability.
A Beijing-based thinktank, the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, recently reported that warships from various nations spend more than 20,000 days annually in the South China Sea, while over 30,000 military aircraft traverse the region. The report also indicated that US Navy ships spend approximately 1,600 days at sea in the area, along with an unspecified number of submarines.
The recent developments highlight the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, a strategically vital waterway for global trade. The situation underscores the complex dynamics between China and the US, and the challenges of maintaining regional stability amidst competing territorial claims and growing military activities.
