2010-07-29

South China Sea dispute rages on

War of words heats up with US over South China Sea disputes
In a signed commentary, the People's Liberation Army Daily - an organ of the Central Military Commission - warned that Washington's involvement in regional territorial disputes was ill-intended.

Under the headline "Be alert to outside forces' involvement in issues of the South China Sea", the commentary urged Asian nations to be aware of traditional superpower tactics designed to maintain dominance in a disputed region.

Superpowers often adopted the strategy of "divide and rule", stirring up tensions, disputes and even conflicts before stepping in as a "mediator" or a "judge" in a bid to maximise their own interests, it said, citing British colonialism in the 19th century.

"Outside forces' involvement will only complicate the South China Sea issue and add difficulty to its solution," it said.
Many people think linearly about Asia, in that they see China rising and displacing the United States. China's neighbors don't see it the same way, however, they see the U.S. as a counterweight to Chinese power. The question is how far the U.S. allows itself to be drawn into regional disputes.

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