Chinese dredging vessels are allegedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands area in this still image from a video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft and provided by the U.S. Navy May 21, 2015. Reuters/U.S. Navy/Handout
Julian Ku, Quartz: Differing interpretations of international law could spark major naval conflict between the US and China
The United States and China seem to be edging closer to a naval showdown over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The US has announced it plans to conduct naval patrols within 12 nautical miles of China’s controversial “artificial islands” in order to uphold the principle of “freedom of navigation” under international law. China’s state-run English-language newspaper has called such plans “provocative” with one Chinese admiral even threatening to deliver a “head on blow” to any foreign forces threatening Chinese sovereignty of the disputed islands.
It is tempting to frame this dispute as the US upholding international law, and China ignoring it. But solving this brewing conflict requires more than simply demanding China “follow” international law. Instead, because the US and China have fundamentally different interpretations of what international law requires, both sides will find it difficult to avoid continuing their conflict over maritime and navigation rights in the region for the foreseeable future.
WNU Editor: This different viewpoint/mindset/interpretation also applies to other issues. Cyber attacks, economic/trade treaties, spheres of influence, etc..