The United States is stealing a page from China’s strategic playbook in using international law as a means to counter expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
The three-year old case between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea at the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague will end Tuesday when the court’s ruling is announced.
U.S. officials say the ruling is expected to favor the Philippines in the maritime dispute and provide a solid basis in traditional international law for pushing back against China’s claims.
Those Chinese claims are the basis for what many analysts say is a concerted effort by Beijing to take control of the South China Sea using newly-created islands built in the Paracels and Spratlys island chains. The new islands are now being militarized by the People’s Liberation Army.
Read the entire article at Asia Times.
