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China Exploiting the Coronavirus Pandemic to Expand in Asia

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byApril 30, 2020 at 5:00 amChina's gradual encroachment on the South China Sea and the surrounding area has been resisted by other countries in the region such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, which all have competing claims of their own. As the region's dominant power, China has shown little interest in seeking to resolve these conflicting claims peacefully. Pictured: An aerial view of Qilianyu islands, part of the disputed Paracel Islands chain in the South China Sea, which China claims are part of its Hainan Province. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)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 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.So far in April, there were that a Chinese coast guard vessel deliberately rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat operating close to the disputed Paracel Islands. All the fishermen survived and were transferred to two other Vietnamese fishing vessels operating nearby.The incident prompted a furious response from the Vietnamese government, which accused Beijing of violating its sovereignty and threatening the lives of its fishermen. The US State Department 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."In other incidents, Chinese vessels have been of harassing Indonesian fishing boats, as well as tailing Malaysian oil-exploration boats.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.The dispute concerns China's recent that it intends to administer two disputed groups of islands and reefs in the waterway. One district covers the Paracel Islands, and the other has jurisdiction over the Spratlys, where China has built a network of fortified man-made islands. The Philippines has a presence of its own on at least nine islands and islets in the area, and bitterly opposes Chinese attempts to extend its influence.Beijing has long claimed control over the South China Sea and the surrounding area because of its strategic significance as one of the world's busiest waterways. Around one third of the world's shipping passes through it and carries trade worth around $3 trillion. In addition, the waters contain lucrative fisheries, and huge oil and gas reserves are believed to lie beneath its seabed.China's gradual encroachment on the area has been resisted by other countries in the region such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, which all have of their own.As the region's dominant power, China has shown little interest in seeking to resolve these conflicting claims peacefully. Instead, it has resorted to brute force, using its increasingly powerful navy to assert its dominance by harassing the shipping of rival states, even, at times, in their own territorial waters.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. At a recent briefing to foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr Pompeo :"Beijing has moved to take advantage of the distraction [over Covid-19], from China's new unilateral announcement of administrative districts over disputed islands and maritime areas in the South China Sea, its sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel earlier this month, and its 'research stations' on Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef."Despite the Trump administration's preoccupation with tackling the coronavirus pandemic, Washington is not prepared to tolerate China's aggressive actions. Three ships from the US Seventh Fleet, together with an Australian frigate, have through the disputed waters in a show of force.China's communist leadership may believe that they can take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to bully their Asian neighbours. But this show of force by the US Navy should send a timely reminder to Beijing as to which country is the real military power in the region.Con Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.© 2022 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.Get Free Exclusive Gatestone Content:Recent Articles byBisley •China was doing this long before there was a virus problem, and they would have continued whether or not there was one. Whether they gained anything in the way of a diversion of attention is debatable, but they should be expected to use any advantage that may present itself.The Chinese government recognizes nothing but force. Unless the US (since only they are capable) is willing to forcibly drive them off the islands, and prevent them from harassing vessels in the South China Sea, they will control it. The CCP isn't going to be persuaded, or negotiated into changing its policy -- nor, will a "show of force" do it. It will take real and violent action.peter mcgrath •Good article, very informed info on Chinese power play. I think its very similar foreign policy to that pursed by Japan in the 1920/1930s and we all know how that finished up in WW2. Financial power is being matched by military power, lots more to come ??H B SUBRAHMANYAM •China is not a Communist State as they claim; it is a Fascist State. China wants to dominate the world. The myopic European and North American nations which are essentially economic animals that cannot perceive China's treachery. The nations world over must wake up and isolate China before it is too late.Gabor Ujvari •The Chinese communists released the virus and now they want to take advantage the carnage what they caused. China threatened some countries with showing brute force and other countries with diplomatic and economic coercion. China is the biggest bully in the international community. Hence the international community must be united against the Chinese bully, before the Chinese bully causes more damage.Graham Richards •The western democracies &amp; there allies must realise that there is only one way out of this situation: UNITY IS STRENGTH.A United Front is required with no backing off. The operative word is strength!This United Front needs also to be shown to the UN/ WHO mob. All western allies forming the United Front should immediately defund WHO. Objection &amp; threats from the UN must be met with similar action. Resign membership &amp; defund immediately the UN if they resist reform! Suggest that China pick up the funding tab &amp; find the UN new headquarters elsewhere outside the countries of the new United Front!Stephen Fleri Soler •I agree.Selma Soss •Thank you Graham Richards! Well said. I couldn't agree with you more. You said it all!S simba •Graham Richards, I agree with you. I ask how many of them will toe the line with America.Fay •Totally agree. But how do you really stop this hungry greedy machine rolling across the world. And how do you overhaul the UN and WHO with all their corrupted heavies?Enough Red Devil ants can bring down a large animal but a small amount will only irritate it. I don't think we're even at the irritation stage yet with the CCP.Get Free Exclusive Gatestone Content:by Majid Rafizadehby Majid Rafizadehby Majid Rafizadehby Peter Schweizerby Raymond Ibrahimby Guy Millièreby Khaled Abu Toamehby Peter Schweizerby Raymond Ibrahimby Amir Taheriby Majid Rafizadehby Guy MillièreTop IssuesThis website uses cookies to provide you with better services. To find out more, please review our .OK

byApril 30, 2020 at 5:00 amChina's gradual encroachment on the South China Sea and the surrounding area has been resisted by other countries in the region such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, which all have competing claims of their own. As the region's dominant power, China has shown little interest in seeking to resolve these conflicting claims peacefully. Pictured: An aerial view of Qilianyu islands, part of the disputed Paracel Islands chain in the South China Sea, which China claims are part of its Hainan Province. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)While the rest...

China Exploiting the Coronavirus Pandemic to Expand in Asia

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