The Chinese regime’s claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea (SCS) is met with new challenges. Both Vietnam and the United Kingdom are making moves for greater influence in the body of water as China has amped up aggressive moves to defend its claims in recent years.
The United Kingdom’s Defense Secretary, Gavin Williamson, told The Telegraph Dec. 30, 2018, that he believes after Brexit happens, the country will have a stronger global influence. He has suggested building a military base in the SCS region.
Vietnam has taken a stronger stance against China’s actions in the SCS for the upcoming draft of the Code of Conduct for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). That document is meant to establish norms for conduct in the SCS in an attempt to ease tensions. In the negotiating draft, Vietnam has called for many of China’s recent actions, such as artificial island building and missile deployments, to be outlawed.