US misconduct rooted in zero-sum mindset
The United States’ growing penchant for conducting so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea has prompted fears that there might be a head-on clash between the US and China. Sunday’s incident in which two US warships were driven away by the Chinese navy after they entered into China’s territorial waters around the Xisha Islands only aggravated these worries.
As on previous occasions, the US move was met with strong opposition by China, as such actions cannot be interpreted as friendly or peaceful. They are blatant provocations, which undermine strategic mutual trust between the two militaries and damage peace, stability and good order in the busy waters of the South China Sea.
The US always cites international law and safeguarding access to the waters as the pretexts for its freedom of navigation operations. But neither of these justifications holds water as the US is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation in the waters has never been a problem.
To try and give its provocative moves in the South China Sea the gloss of altruism, the US also points an accusing finger at China and claims its naval operations are a response to China militarizing the waters. But by repeatedly sending its warships to the South China Sea, the US is finding it more and more difficult to conceal the fact that it is the real culprit for the militarizing of the waters. Its accident-prone provocations are increasing the risk of an accidental incident.
Sunday’s action by the US and other provocative moves in the South China Sea in recent years highlight why China is making efforts to build a blue-water navy. It has to improve its maritime capabilities so that it can better protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and maritime interests.
China does not seek a confrontation with the US in the South China Sea. It has repeatedly urged the US to properly handle the differences between the two countries and abandon its zero-sum mentality so that it can contribute to building peace and stability in the region.
The US should end its “freedom of navigation” operations in the waters and instead try to make military-to-military relations a stable factor in China-US relations. Doing so would serve the interests of both sides and the region, unlike the US’ present course of action that threatens a deterioration in regional stability and risks a dangerous disturbance.