While the rest of the world is preoccupied with tackling the coronavirus pandemic, China is intensifying its efforts to extend its influence in the South China Sea by intimidating its Asian neighbours.
The arrival of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier, together with five accompanying warships, in the South China Sea earlier this month has resulted in a significant increase in tensions in the Asia-Pacific region as Beijing seeks to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to flex its muscles.
The US State Department said it was "Seriously concerned" about the incident and called on Beijing "To remain focused on supporting international efforts to combat the global pandemic, and to stop exploiting the distraction or vulnerability of other states to expand its unlawful claims in the South China Sea.".
At the same time, China has provoked a diplomatic dispute with the Philippines following Beijing's declaration that a region over which Manila claims sovereignty in the South China Sea is Chinese territory.
China's increasingly aggressive action, known in Beijing as "Wolf Warrior diplomacy", has prompted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to warn that China is taking advantage of the world's preoccupation with the coronavirus pandemic to push its territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.
China's communist leadership may believe that they can take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to bully their Asian neighbours.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15956/china-expansion-asia
The arrival of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier, together with five accompanying warships, in the South China Sea earlier this month has resulted in a significant increase in tensions in the Asia-Pacific region as Beijing seeks to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to flex its muscles.
The US State Department said it was "Seriously concerned" about the incident and called on Beijing "To remain focused on supporting international efforts to combat the global pandemic, and to stop exploiting the distraction or vulnerability of other states to expand its unlawful claims in the South China Sea.".
At the same time, China has provoked a diplomatic dispute with the Philippines following Beijing's declaration that a region over which Manila claims sovereignty in the South China Sea is Chinese territory.
China's increasingly aggressive action, known in Beijing as "Wolf Warrior diplomacy", has prompted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to warn that China is taking advantage of the world's preoccupation with the coronavirus pandemic to push its territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.
China's communist leadership may believe that they can take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to bully their Asian neighbours.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15956/china-expansion-asia
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