Opinion | The US is testing China’s red lines in the South China Sea. What does it hope to achieve?

Name: Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China tensions
Uploaded: 2020-10-23T17:30:15.000Z
Duration: 2 min 32 s
Description: Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China tensions

The US seems to be pushing China to stand down from its claims and occupations or defend them militarily. This ‘put up or shut up’ strategy is risky – unless confrontation really is the aim

Reading Time:4 minutes

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Mark J. Valencia

Published: 1:30am, 24 Oct 2020Updated: 2:47am, 24 Oct 2020

US-China relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades and both powers are on the brink of a clash in the South China Sea. Yet, despite the danger and delicacy of the situation, and vehement Chinese warnings, the US is ramping up its military activities and testing China’s “red lines” and patience.

Why is the United States risking confrontation? Maybe China hardliners in the Trump administration think it will help the president’s re-election bid. Or perhaps, this is “normal” military posture around a distracting presidential election to ensure China does not miscalculate.

Whatever the reason, the US is pushing China’s buttons and China is responding – making a clash increasingly probable.

Provocative US military activities include increased spy plane probes, repeated aircraft carrier strike group deployments, more military support for Taiwan, and freedom of navigation operations, which are its main antagonistic action.

Earlier this month, the US undertook such an operation – its eighth this year – near the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands, a particularly sensitive area where China has a major base and the administrative capital for its claimed South China Sea possessions. The US action was also seen as supportive of Vietnam’s stepped-up campaign against China for the islands, which it also claims.

02:32

Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China tensions

This comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on July 13 that the US “will support countries all across the world who recognise that China has violated their legal territorial claims”, vowing to “use all the tools we can”.

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