The United States Provoked China's "Yeongrin," South China Sea Sovereignty Claims Are Illegal

US-China Conflict Escalates Over South China Sea Sovereignty
China Raises South China Sea Sovereignty Issue for Political Purposes

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The conflict between the U.S. and China, which originated from the Hong Kong National Security Law and Taiwan independence movements, is expanding its front to the South China Sea sovereignty issue.

The United States has declared China's claims to sovereignty over the South China Sea as completely illegal and mentioned the possibility of sanctions. This touched on China's most sensitive area.

As the U.S. pulled out the South China Sea sovereignty card, China immediately expressed its intention not to back down. The level of U.S.-China confrontation has further escalated.

China's state-run People's Daily expressed strong dissatisfaction on the 15th, stating that the U.S. is ignoring the efforts of China and neighboring countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and is causing tensions in the region.

The People's Daily continued, saying that China has over 2,000 years of history in the South China Sea and has sufficient historical grounds. It also emphasized that China has a consistent position on the South China Sea issue and is currently maintaining stability with ASEAN countries regarding the matter.

The Chinese government's response to the South China Sea sovereignty issue was immediate and resolute.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 14th, "The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration contains many errors," and emphasized, "The U.S. raising the South China Sea sovereignty issue for its own political purposes is an abuse of international law, and China will not accept it." He added, "The U.S. sending aircraft carriers and fleets to the South China Sea under the pretext of training and flying reconnaissance planes is strengthening its presence in the South China Sea," and "The U.S.'s deception is futile, and its conspiracy regarding the South China Sea will never succeed."

Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, also acted swiftly. On the 14th, during a phone call with the Philippine Foreign Minister, he said, "China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors at sea, and the two countries and their peoples have a history of exchanges spanning thousands of years," and urged, "Let us work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on the 15th that China has been quietly conducting activities related to the South China Sea sovereignty issue, such as establishing a maritime rescue center in the South China Sea.

SCMP stated that China is positioning itself as a responsible country in the region through a 24-hour emergency rescue center. The tsunami warning service for nine Southeast Asian countries in the China Sea is a representative example.

SCMP also reported that China has been conducting a research project called the South China Sea In-depth Programme for over eight years. However, the Chinese government has not disclosed the nature of this project or its scientific achievements so far.

SCMP interpreted these activities by China as a strategic move to claim jurisdiction in the long term.