China has laid claim to almost the whole of the South China Sea and the islands within it, even as there is no legal basis to their claim along with overlapping claims from the countries in the Asian continent that surround it. With tensions over the waters potentially escalating into an all-out conflict, an expert has warned that China should be careful, especially when the US decides to intervene.
A 2016 arbitration ruling has stated that China’s ownership claims of the South China Sea have no legal basis, especially under international law. There are already tensions between the communist nation and the surrounding countries over the waters, and should it escalate, it could lead to a possible World War 3 breakout. According to DWF Head of Transport Jonathan Moss, China should be careful in case the US decides to intervene in this dispute.
Speaking to Express, Moss explained that the United States’ influence could get Washington to oversee negotiations and debates on the contested waters for the countries involved.
“If they become the parole for those particular countries I think that will be more of an issue for China because at the moment we have got this discussion and debate between the two leaders about trade deals. If the Americans become far more engaged I think that will probably make China listen,” said Moss.
Nevertheless, there is still a risk of an all-out conflict erupting over the South China Sea. Moss cited one instance where Chinese vessels had an altercation with the Navy gunboats from the Philippines in the Spratly Islands.
Along with the Philippines, Indonesia also has a claim to a region of the South China Sea, and the latest incident revealed a minor clash between the two countries. An armed Chinese vessel was spotted patrolling the waters in Indonesian territory. According to the country’s coast guard, the vessel had a machine gun positioned in front, which was believed to be the boat’s defense against pirates.
Officials in Jakarta have blasted Beijing for intrusion into their waters. The officials aboard the vessel, however, reasoned that they were patrolling territories owned by the communist nation.
“The Ministry re-emphasized to the Chinese representative that there’s no overlapping between Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone and China’s waters,” said Indonesian Ambassador Teuku Faizasyah in a statement. Following a heated argument via radio, the Chinese vessel was expelled.