How China is bending the rules in the South China Sea Chinese fishing vessels in port before venturing into the South China Sea (Artyom Ivanov/TASS via Getty) Published 17 Feb 2021 15:00 5 Comments
Chinese exercises in the South China Sea last month, and the strong US response, show these disputed waters will not soon be calm. While the focus has largely been on military manoeuvres, competition in legal positions has also been heating up. Last year, both the United States and Australia risked China’s wrath by officially stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea are unlawful. Other claimants were pleased by this change of policy, but none voiced it prominently.