Hey there, amigos! 🌟 Wondering what's up with the South China Sea lately? Well, despite the U.S. planning to step up its military game in those waters, experts from the Chinese mainland are saying, \"No biggie!\" 😎
At a recent chat hosted by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI)—these guys keep tabs on ships cruising the sea—experts spilled the tea on what's really happening. Wu Shicun, a big shot at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, thinks that while the U.S.-led militarization might ramp up, the change in the White House could switch things up a bit.
\"The U.S. will intensify its presence, but things will shift as new leaders step in. Other countries claiming parts of the sea might also shake things up,\" Wu said.
He also mentioned that the current rules, like the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed back in 2002 by China and ASEAN countries, help keep things chill but might not be enough to keep everyone in line.
So, how busy is the South China Sea? Super busy! 🚢 According to the SCSPI, the U.S. military hangs out there a lot—over 5,000 ship-days and about 8,000 military aircraft flights each year. That's a lot of traffic!
But here's the good news: Experts are \"cautiously optimistic\" about the future. Professor Hu Bo from Peking University says both China and the U.S. really don't want any drama. \"They're prepping for the worst but hoping for the best,\" he noted.
They also chatted about the Philippines and its role in the region. Some think the Philippines might try to play the U.S. and China against each other to gain some advantages. Ding Duo, another expert, suggested they might pass new laws to bolster their claims.
In the end, even though the U.S. might keep flexing in the South China Sea, everyone hopes things will stay peaceful. After all, it's a super important area—over 1.5 million ships pass through every year, carrying about 40% of global trade! 🌍
So, for now, it seems like we can all take a deep breath and relax. The waves might get a bit choppy, but the boat's not rocking too hard. Stay tuned for more updates! ✌️
Reference(s):
U.S. militarization of South China Sea to grow, but stability remains
cgtn.com
