What’s the nature of China’s power, and what should the world do about it? In a series of debates organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, leading experts confronted the challenges and opportunities presented by the country’s rise. Here we’re bringing you the fourth of five debates. Sign up to the Inkstone newsletter for more.
The South China Sea is a vast, resource-rich body of water that is made up of over 250 islands, reefs and shoals.
China claims about 90% of the contested waters, arguing it has historical rights in the region thanks to its “nine-dash line.” Other Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia, have competing claims in the area.
Even though the US has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, it sees the waters of as an area of strategic interest, since they are a crucial trade route. Chinese dominance in the seas will threaten America’s position in Asia.
In past years, China has become increasingly assertive over the South China Sea, building artificial islands in the region and militarizing them. In September, a Chinese destroyer almost collided with a US warship in the South China Sea as the Chinese navy flexed its muscle.
In this debate, two leading thinkers debate whether China has already developed the ability to control the South China Sea.
Read their views by tapping the yellow and red buttons on this page.
In its third annual ChinaPower conference, the Center for Strategic and International Studies brought together thinkers, academics and leaders on China to debate the nature of China’s power. Sign up to the Inkstone newsletter for more.
Visit the ChinaPower website to find out more and to watch an unedited feed from the debates, which were organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.