Imagine the U.S. Department of Defense dropping its 2024 Freedom of Navigation report like a DJ spinning a fresh track 🎧. This is the 32nd annual drop since 1991, and once again it turns the spotlight on China in the South China Sea.
The report lists 11 countries and regions that the U.S. flags for "excessive maritime claims," down from 19 in 2023. Notably, the Philippines and other key players are missing from the lineup – raising questions about selective targeting. 🤔
China headlines the report with four disputed practices: prior permission for military ships, Air Defense Identification Zones, straight baselines, and historic rights claims. Just days after the release, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Higgins sailed unannounced near Huangyan Dao, challenging Beijing's rules. 🚢
Critics say this isn't about upholding international law but projecting U.S. military muscle. By spotlighting some disputes and ignoring others – like the Philippines' own standoffs or Israel's Mediterranean blockade – the U.S. seems to play by its own rulebook. 📖💥
International law experts point out that diplomatic statements can have legal impact, yet the U.S. leans on warships to prove a point. Instead of calming tensions, these Freedom of Navigation operations may fan regional conflicts. 🌪️
With calls for cooperation, trust, and stability echoing across the South China Sea, many believe it's time for a new playbook. As global power shifts, the U.S. may need to remix its approach. 🌏🤝
Reference(s):
How the U.S. uses 'freedom of navigation' to assert its own rules
cgtn.com
