China is sailing solo on South China Sea issues, despite its claims to the contrary

William Choong and Alexander Neill say the messages and partnerships from the Shangri-La Dialogue show how, on South China Sea disputes at least, China is on its own in its reading of events

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Why you can trust SCMP

William ChoongandAlexander Neill

Published: 4:45pm, 14 Jun 2016Updated: 6:01pm, 14 Jun 2016

There is no rule in international law that specifically prohibits reclamation at sea. Illustration: Craig Stephens

For a forum frequently described as a defence ministers’ talk shop or a “media feast”, the Shangri-La Dialogue can boast numerous achievements in its 15th year.

As the latest sign of international pushback against China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea, France announced it would urge European Union states to coordinate “regular and visible” naval patrols in the disputed area. After an absence of several years, the Indian and South Korean defence ministers spoke at the dialogue’s key plenaries. Singapore and India initiated their first-ever bilateral defence ministers’ dialogue on the sidelines. Four countries – Britain, Norway, Singapore and the US – jointly sponsored the launch of a Southeast Asian young leaders’ programme aimed at nurturing a generation of strategists immersed in the regional security debate.

The US is right that China has no allies – because it doesn’t need them

Inevitably, however, the dialogue’s debate focused on the South China Sea. As tension increases in both the South and East China seas, the escalation-management protocols between China and the US and its allies will be tested. China recently sailed a navy warship for the first time into the waters surrounding Japan’s disputed Senkaku islands. In the skies above the East China Sea, the US and Japanese air patrols have been harassed recently at close quarters by Chinese jet fighters. Worryingly, it appears that China, facing increasing international isolation, is prepared to escalate the dispute to unprecedented levels.

This undated photo taken from the Facebook account of Kalayaan Atin Ito (Kalayaan This Is Ours), a group of Filipino activists, shows Filipino activists on a vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

China says Philippines should copy Malaysia’s ‘amicable’ way of handling disputes in South China Sea

This does not bode well for China’s reaction to a case that the Philippines has brought before the Permanent Court of Arbitration concerning Manila’s territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. The ruling is expected to be announced in late July or August, and many believe the findings will largely fall in Manila’s favour.