China’s forces have engulfed the region with military bases, weapons installations and asserted its controversial Nine-Dash Line territory claim despite anger from other Asian nations. And now, it appears even the military efforts of the US have failed to stop Beijing’s forces from becoming the superior presence in the region. According to the Council of Foreign Relations, China’s dominance “cannot be reversed” because of the relentless aggression from Beijing accompanied by huge resources.
The nonprofit think tank said: “The United States cannot reverse China’s militarisation of the South China Sea; Beijing has succeeded in shifting the balance of power in this waterway in its favour.”
It also warned that given the turning tide in the region, increased aggression is risking conflict.
The Council of Foreign Relations added: “China has increasingly interfered with freedom of navigation, warning military and commercial vessels away from its artificial island bases.
“It has also harassed vessels belonging to regional claimants, conducted maritime surveys of dubious legality, and attempted dangerous manoeuvres with its own military craft.
“These activities could lead to accidental or inadvertent escalation. Beijing could interfere with normal operations by other regional claimants, possibly while operating its own vessels dangerously.”
Also concerning for the US are China’s bases in the contested Spratly Island chain.
The Council of Foreign Relations has also warned in its article that other claimants over the archipelago -Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia to name a few – don’t have the resources to defy Beijing on their own.
The article added: “China could further militarise the Spratly Islands by deploying more military platforms; it could also begin building on the Scarborough Shoal, which it seized from the Philippines in 2012.
“Alone, other South China Sea claimants lack the ability to fully resist Chinese pressure.”
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A leaked set of photos given to a Filipino newspaper showed just how elaborate China’s development of military bases has been.
Some photographs showed cargo ships and supply vessels, which the newspaper said appeared to be delivering construction materials to the China-controlled islands.
Others show runways, hangars, control towers, helipads and radomes as well as a series of multistorey buildings that China has built on reefs.