China reasserts its claims in regional disputes, pushes rivals’ limits

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

China in recent years has asserted its claims in the long-running disputes far more boldly as its military strength has grown.

Chinese action in recent times:

China has taken confrontational action in its claims across the South China sea, East China sea and Taiwan in recent months.
China has in recent months deployed military and coast guard vessels in a bid to eject the Philippines from strategically important reefs and islands in the South China Sea.
In June, Chinese coast guard personnel confronted Philippine vessels near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
The latest incident took place in Sabina shoal, where China took measures against two Philippine Coast Guard ships, claiming they entered “illegally”.

Rationale behind China’s aggression:

According to experts, this campaign of confrontation, from remote reefs in South China sea to Taiwan and far-flung Japanese islands, is designed to wear down regional rivals competing with it for contested territories.
These moves reflect China’s broader strategy to expand its regional influence in the long run.
The recent incidents have come as the Philippines has strengthened ties with traditional ally the United States, with which it has a mutual defence treaty.

Chinese strategy in South China sea:

China has for years sought to expand its power in the South China Sea, brushing aside an international ruling that its claim to most of the waterway has no legal basis.
It has built artificial islands armed with missile systems and runways for fighter jets, and deployed vessels that the Philippines says harass its ships and block its fishers.
In 2012, Beijing seized control of Scarborough Shoal, a contested area close to the Philippines.
Recent incidents of aggression can be seen as a part of China’s broader strategy to expand influence in the region.