China's Push in the South China Sea

On today’s episode of the China Global Podcast, we’re going to discuss the South China Sea. The past year has been marked by four intersecting dynamics: First, a sharp escalation of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia operations, especially against the Philippines. Second, a resumption of large-scale Chinese island construction after nearly a decade-long pause; Third, increasingly sophisticated Chinese legal and administrative moves to consolidate and institutionalize its claims; And fourth, a deepening of the US-Philippines military partnership and the emergence of a broader network involving US allies and partners from Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

To discuss these trends, I’m delighted to have as my guest today, Dr. Collin Koh, who is a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies based in Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction
[01:33] Beijing’sObjectives in the South China Sea
[06:24] Changes in China’s Strategy 
[09:13] A Revival of Island Building in Antelope Reef
[16:11] Increased Activity in Scarborough Shoal 
[20:13] Violating the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct? 
[24:21] Pros and Cons to Finalizing the Code of Conduct
[28:58] China’s Response to US-Philippines Security Cooperation
[33:15] Claimant Perceptions of US Policy