CHINA GLOBAL PODCAST:
China's Push in the South China Sea
A conversation between Dr. Collin Koh and Bonnie Glaser on China's latest advances in the South China Sea.
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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’s Objectives 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