Asia must unite to prise South China Sea from Beijing's grip
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On one hand, China is discussing peace in the South China Sea with its Southeast Asian neighbours, but on the other, it is trying to change the status quo there through unilateral actions. Beijing needs to realise this inconsistency will result only in ag
China under President Xi Jinping is undertaking reclamation work on several reefs to create artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. The reclamation work is under way at six of the seven reefs controlled by China, according to reports. All the reefs are subject to territorial disputes between China and other countries, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea based on the so-called nine-dash line it drew after ignoring international law. However, the international community, represented by Japan, the United States and Europe, does not recognise the nine-dash line because it lacks legal grounds.
It is apparent that the reclamation work runs counter to the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was signed between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to prevent tensions from escalating or becoming more complex.
The reclamation work has drawn angry responses from Hanoi and Manila, and nations indirectly involved have expressed deep concern. We call on China to exercise restraint in building artificial islands, which is an attempt by China to reinforce its control over the reefs in the Spratly Islands.
In October, China revealed that Fiery Cross, a reef that used to be submerged at high tide, had become an “island” with an area of about one square kilometre – making it the biggest island in the Spratly chain. About 200 military personnel are now stationed there, and Beijing has decided to build an airfield on Fiery Cross, according to reports. It would be the first airfield in the Spratly Islands. China’s aim is plain – to develop Fiery Cross Reef as a military base so it can command the skies in the area. Some observers believe China is now considering the establishment of an air defence identification zone in the South China Sea.
For Japan and the United States, important sea lanes straddle the South China Sea. Ensuring the freedom of navigation there is vital for the two nations. Thus China’s hegemonic behaviour cannot be condoned.
Asean is now calling for the non-binding 2002 declaration to be upgraded to a legally binding code of conduct.
China has agreed to hold talks with Asean, but is extremely reluctant on formulating the code of conduct. The two sides were unable to start compiling a draft at a high-level meeting last month. We cannot help but conclude that China is using the talks to gain time until it succeeds in amassing faits accomplis, such as building artificial islands.
Next week, a summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will take place in Beijing. The East Asia Summit will also be held in Myanmar.
The security situations in the South China and East China seas will likely become a point of contention at the two meetings.
The importance of preventing nations from using their military or economic power to unilaterally change the status quo and of establishing order on the high seas based on the rule of law should be widely shared by state leaders.
It is important for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama to join hands with other nations concerned to press China to take responsible actions.
