By Wang Hanling

June 22, 2016

"The Western Pacific has become an important arena for the US execution of its 'return to the Asia-Pacific' strategy, and the maritime disputes between China and its neighbors have been used by the US as an excuse to pursue this strategy. The moves taken by the US, such as meddling in South China Sea affairs and frequently creating troubles, are aimed to contain China, dominate the Asia-Pacific, and defend its primacy in the world. As the US sees it, with the US-Japan Security Treaty serving as the bedrock of the post-WWII order in East Asia, and the establishment of the US-ROK military alliance, the situation in Northeast Asia and the East China Sea already features a good balance, and there is no need to strive for rebalance. The political, economic, military and diplomatic efforts made by the US to promote the 'Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy' are mainly targeted at the South China Sea and Southeast Asia. Through the prism of this background, it is not hard to find out who is the real force behind the South China Sea arbitration case.

1. The US instigated the Philippines to unilaterally initiate the arbitration in an attempt to launch a legal and public opinion war against China.

Before the Philippines suddenly initiated the arbitration, it had all along maintained consultation with China on the South China Sea issue under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and a number of bilateral mechanisms. In 2010, the US announced its decision to 'return to the Asia-Pacific', claiming that it has 'national interests' in the South China Sea, and that it will continue to keep a strong and permanent presence in Asia and use its power to build a rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific. It expressed its support for the Philippines in resolving the South China Sea disputes through international arbitration, asking the latter not to be afraid of any reprisal, including intimidation or coercion. Since the initiation of the arbitration by the Philippines in 2013, the US has been urging China to accept and participate in the arbitration, and launched an international publicity campaign to support the Philippines and tarnish China’s reputation."

Read more:
http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/south-china-sea-arbitration-a-cover-for-u-s-meddling/

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