(C) Bloomberg.com
A recent collision between a Chinese coast guard vessel and a Philippine resupply boat near the Second Thomas Shoal has brought attention from across the world to the South China Sea. The question of whether these South China Sea episodes could spark a more serious conflict between China and the US is constantly brought up. This piece aims to examine the existing state of affairs, the viewpoints of significant players, and the rationales behind their hesitation to intensify the matter into a major dispute.
It’s critical to comprehend the intentions and interests of the main stakeholders in the South China Sea as pressures rise. As of right now, it appears that the Philippines, China, and the US are being conservative. President Joe Biden of the United States has underscored the country’s commitment to defending its friend, the Philippines, without expressing a want for conflict, in discrepancy to President Xi Jinping of China, who has stated a desire for peaceful collaboration and agreement. For its part, Manila emphasizes its right to self- determination while insisting it isn’t at war with China.
All parties concerned are worried about the South China Sea escalation for several reasons.
China’s primary goal is to rescue its economy, and it can achieve this goal without using kinetic force by retaining its strategic position in the South China Sea.
In the run-up to a presidential election, the United States may not want to get embroiled in a “third front” fight in Asia given its obligations in Europe and the Middle East.
An armed war in the South China Sea will impede the Philippines’ ability to recover from its own set of internal and economic issues.
There are encouraging signals of diplomacy notwithstanding the tensions. With high-level exchanges and the start of economic working group meetings, U.S.-China ties have been improving. This clears the path for a summit between Presidents Biden and Xi, as does the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Washington.
While intentional warfare appears improbable, unintentional hostilities are still a possibility. Rival maritime powers and strained tempers make the South China Sea a volatile environment. In the past, flare-ups have usually de-risen rather than escalated, which is somewhat comforting.
China might not have taken more harsh measures if the USS Dewey had been stationed close to the scene of the latest mishap. It’s possible that Beijing was gauging how much help Washington would give Manila. Given the Philippines’ concerns about the deteriorating BRP Sierra Madre, the situation surrounding the Second Thomas Shoal is still unclear.
There is a difficult conundrum raised by requests for American involvement in Philippine resupply missions at Second Thomas Shoal. China might have to use more force to halt these operations, putting its military in danger of coming into direct conflict with American forces. China is placed in a challenging situation as a result, and Washington will need to decide how to assist a nominal treaty partner without going to war.
Conflict may arise unintentionally in the South China Sea, which is still a dangerous area. Though it seems unlikely, anyone involved in a planned conflict must exercise caution to avoid making mistakes in judgment. Recent events demonstrate that cooperation and diplomacy can lead to a peaceful conclusion. The globe is paying close attention to how this plays out, though, as the situation is always changing.
If you happen to breathe K-drama, then your 'May 2025' will most likely be well-rendered into a month! Romantic sagas,…
Since yesterday, May 2, 2023, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Ahtisa Manalo has demonstrated her brilliance by…
“you’re nothing but a trying hard copycat” Character- Lavinia Arguelles Film- Bituing Walang Ningning (1985) Context- Lavinia confronts her rival…
During the first months of 2025 WWE released several prominent wrestlers who were part of their talent roster. Professional wrestling…
Seventeen year old sprint prodigy Rin Kubo continues to make athletic history in Japan. At the Shizuoka International Athletics Meet,…
NextRise 2025-the biggest startup and tech event in Asia-is ready to take place in Seoul on June 26-27 at COEX,…
This website uses cookies.
Read More