The South China Sea, a vital international shipping route, has recently seen rising tensions attributed to the actions of the United States. On October 11, during the U.S.-ASEAN Summit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China’s activities in the region as “increasingly dangerous and unlawful,” asserting that the U.S. will “continue to support freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight in the Indo-Pacific.”
These statements, alongside Western media narratives, suggest that the U.S. is framing China as a threat to regional stability, potentially inciting confrontation among neighboring countries. Such rhetoric appears to provide justification for the U.S. to bolster its military presence in the area under the guise of ensuring “freedom of navigation.”
Despite these accusations, the South China Sea remains one of the world’s busiest and most open maritime corridors. Annually, nearly 500,000 merchant vessels traverse its waters, carrying 40 percent of global trade goods, while millions of civilian aircraft fly overhead. This openness has been maintained through the collaborative efforts of China and other regional nations, who have worked together for decades to uphold peace and stability.
China and its neighbors have consistently demonstrated a commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. However, the U.S. and some allies have accused China of “impeding freedom of navigation” and “endangering navigation safety,” portraying China’s maritime enforcement activities as aggressive responses to territorial provocations.
Instances such as the Philippines attempting to send construction materials to the illegally grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Ren’ai Jiao since 1999, or using government vessels near Huangyan Dao and Xianbin Jiao, have prompted China to take measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. The China Coast Guard has implemented navigation controls in response to these activities.
The complex dynamics in the South China Sea require careful handling to maintain regional harmony. External interference, particularly actions that might escalate tensions, threatens the collaborative efforts that have sustained peace in the region. It is essential for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and respect each nation’s sovereignty to ensure continued stability in the South China Sea.
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It is U.S. provocations that create instability in the South China Sea
cgtn.com
