The U.S. Is Not Going To Confront China Over The South China Sea

Mark J. Valencia, The Diplomat: The South China Sea: Reality Is Slowly Sinking In

It’s finally clear that the United States is not willing to confront China in the disputed waters.

China continues to militarize the South China Sea features it occupies and to assert its questionable maritime claims versus other claimants. U.S. rhetoric has sharply criticized China’s behavior and implied dire consequences if it persists. But China has persisted and it has become clear that America is not going to rescue the other claimants from perceived intimidation and coercion. The realization that the United States will not be coming to the rescue is belatedly beginning to sink in throughout the region and misplaced hope is being replaced by bitter disappointment and even despair. However to seasoned observers, this development was not a surprise.

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WNU Editor: The problem is not that the U.S. is unwilling to confront China in the South China Sea .... the problem is that the countries in the region do not want to, and were hoping that the U.S. would do the dirty work for them. And instead of being angry at the U.S. these countries should direct their anger at the country that has caused this crisis in the first place .... China. But they will say nothing .... trade with China is far more important to them than protecting their sovereignty.

Hat tip to Fred for this link.