Southeast Asian defense ministers were hosted by China on Friday in an attempt to buff up its repute in an area suspicious of the territorial ambitions of China; meanwhile, expectations are on the rise that the US may directly challenge China’s claims on the South China Sea.
This was the first instance when such a meeting was hosted by China. Four out of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations that took part have their own claims to the sea and adjourning islands in South China Sea, resulting in a clash with Beijing’s own interests.
China attempted to soften its image by hosting the meeting and evading such controversial issues. The dispute was not directly spoken of by the Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in his opening remarks; instead topics of radicalism, natural disasters, terrorism, and other threats to the region were discussed.
“China desires cooperation and dialogue with ASEAN defense bodies to together safeguard regional peace and stability and join hands to create a good security environment,” Chang said in his opening remarks.
Later on, reporters were barred from the gathering, leaving many questions unanswered as to what was discussed.
This informal meeting would be succeeded by the Xiangshan Forum, where military leaders, analysts, and numerous others from all over the world would discuss issues pertaining to Asian-Pacific security, anti-terrorism, and maritime issues.
Li Mingjiang, a regional security expert at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore said, “China wants to use these sorts of forums to promote China’s views, explain China’s policies and improve China’s security image,”
“Because the meeting is in Beijing, it would be hard for any country to confront China over the South China Sea. There’s also a lack of solidarity among ASEAN countries over the issue,” added Li.
China has increased its efforts to construct islands on atolls and reefs in the South China Sea, and have been adding airstrips and buildings in an apparent effort to enhance its sovereignty claims to the region.
Some Pentagon officials stated last week that US Navy might soon get an approval to sail inside the 21-kilometer (12 nautical miles) territorial limit neighboring the man-made islands.
On Wednesday, Philippines nodded in favor of such a move by the US.
If the US goes ahead with its plans, this would be the first time it would have directly challenged the territorial claims of China since 2012, while reinforcing Washington’s statement that reclamation of land is not tantamount to adding sovereign territory.
The US with its allies claim that the newly developed islands by China pose a threat to the stability in the ever-increasing militarized region. Denying the claim, China says the islands would benefit the public in general.
China is also involved in a dispute with Vietnam with regards to the ownership of Paracel island group, which lead to a conflict last year when a huge oil drilling platform was moved into contested waters by Beijing.
Vietnam blamed China Thursday of sinking one of its fishing boats near the disputed islands. The event was provoked by China’s desire to steal the catch of fish onboard and put the ship out of commission. No evidence of any ships of the Chinese government were found; however, Beijing’s aggressive stance has bolstered Chinese fishermen operating in the region.
China greatly expanded Xiangshan Forum’s scope last year, turning it into an annual event instead of a biennial one while increasing participation to over 300 defense officials as well as academics from the 47 countries.
China’s military, leveraging the benefits of the world’s 2nd largest defense budget, has been gaining alarming capabilities, particularly with its Navy.
It is said to have deployed its very first aircraft carrier and expanded its fleet by commissioning advanced destroyers, nuclear submarines, and missile cruisers. A colossal military parade just last month highlighted the new missiles enabling China to hit numerous targets, including US bases and Naval ships, in the region.
Besides claiming all island groups as well as crucial sea lanes in the South China Sea, China is also confronting Japan over the possession of an uninhabited chain of islands located just North of Taiwan. A number of analysts believe that China would declare a similar zone over the South China Sea as it did back in 2013 when it declared an Air Defense Zone, giving it conjectural control of all aviation activity over the majority of East China Sea.
Be the first to comment on "10-Nation ASEAN Hosted in China Amidst Prevailing Tensions in South China Sea"