The time has come for the US and its allies to abandon ineffective freedom of navigation operations for much firmer measures
China’s incremental approach toward its goal of complete control over the South China Sea has so far avoided any serious repercussions. That should change unless the United States and its allies are willing to accept Chinese domination over the strategically and economically important waterway.
To be sure, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines against China’s Nine Dash Line claim in 2016. And, yes, the United States has made intermittent Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) sailing through the contested area, purposefully traversing within 12 nautical miles of Beijing’s artificially-created islets.
However, China is still there and has recently installed Anti-Ship Missiles (ASMs) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) that serve an offensive role as much as their claimed defensive purpose.
Although a recent report notes that the SAMs have been removed or merely hidden, it also cites experts who believe that the change may be only temporary. Aside from diplomatic wagging of tongues and some American warships transiting the area, nothing has been done to reverse the militarized tide – certainly nothing effective.
http://www.atimes.com/article/a-better-way-to-repel-china-in-the-south-china-sea/