Why South China Sea is One of the World’s ‘Most Explosive Hotspots’
SputnikNews.com
15.05.2016
The Pentagon’s latest “freedom of navigation” operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea, which Beijing referred to as an act of provocation, shows that tensions in “one of the world’s most explosive hotspots” could escalate, analysts warned.
“With both China and the US unlikely to change course, more close calls and increasing tensions are likely,” the Soufan Group noted, calling the trend “increasingly worrisome.”
“The consequences of accidental military confrontation between China, which is determined to expand its sphere of influence, and the US, which is determined to maintain its naval influence in the region, cannot be overstated,” the experts added.
On May 10, the US sent its guided missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence into the 12-mile radius of the Fiery Cross Reef, known in China as the Yongshu Island. This was the Pentagon’s third naval operation in the region claimed by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and several other countries.
The US carried out the operation to “challenge excessive maritime claims” by the claimants, who allegedly want to “restrict the navigation rights” in the South China Sea. Beijing denied this claim.
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