CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

Recent American intervention in the South China Sea territorial disputes may produce more harm than good. US involvement may cause regional countries to miscalculate when dealing with one another and further enflame tensions in the South China Sea.

Despite a chaotic and often pessimistic international and peripheral strategic environment for China, there are still potential positive opportunities available. China must refrain from rash, ill-advised reactions to a rapidly changing world and focus on a thoughtful international policy both near and abroad.

On July 9, a high-ranking US State Department official said that Article 5 of the Treaty of Security and Safeguard Between Japan and United States applies to the Diaoyu Islands. When it comes to the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, Japan grows grumpy the moment the United States begins to make any utterance.

During his visit to Vietnam in early June, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta displayed eagerness to have the U.S. military return to the bases it once occupied at Cam Ranh Bay.  The Pentagon lost its foothold there when South Vietnam fell to communist forces in the mid-1970s, and military officials have longed to regain [...]

Over one month has passed since the China-Philippines standoff over Huangyan Island (Scarborough shoal) started on 10 April 2012. The Philippines’ biggest naval vessel BRP Gregorio Del Pilar attempted to intercept Chinese fishing boats which were reported to take shelter from a storm in the lagoon of Huangyan Island. Although diplomatic negotiations resumed on 9 [...]

It has been almost one month since the standoff started on April 10, 2012 between the Philippines and China at the waters around at Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal). This standoff raises a new round of debate on the dispute between China and other claimant states on both the sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.