But ignoring China's promises, the US has been consolidating its military presence in the South China Sea by continuing close-range military reconnaissance against China, interfering in the regional maritime disputes, selling weapons to Vietnam and other countries, strengthening its military alliances in the region and regaining its hold over military bases in the Philippines, and calling for joint patrols with Japan and other allies from outside Southeast Asia.
By sending guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen to patrol the waters near China's islands, the US seems to indicate that it is ready for a direct military conflict or confrontation with China. In a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, however, it has accused China of interfering in its exercise of freedom of navigation and "militarizing" the region by carrying out construction work on its islands.
China and the US indeed have serious differences on the South China Sea issue. But they should be addressed through dialogue, not through an armed conflict. Given the emerging risks, therefore, the two countries need to use "quiet diplomacy" rather than taking actions that could worsen the situation.
The author is the director of research and senior fellow at the China Foundation for International Strategic Studies.
