Defiant Chinese Admiral’s Message: South China Sea “Belongs to China”

Naval officers from around the globe attended the Defence & Security Equipment International conference in London, and admirals from the United States and China offered views on security in the South China Sea. According to an article in Defense One, Yuan Yubai, who commands the North Sea Fleet for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, pointed out the body of water’s name suggests that the sea belongs to China. By international treaty, countries regard 12 nautical miles offshore as territory and assigns exclusive economic rights for 200 miles offshore. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also border the sea that offers the shortest route between the Pacific and Indian oceans. “Yubai said China is working with the U.S. military on a code of conduct for aircraft encounters, which he hoped would help avoid conflict among the five nations with claims in the South China Sea,” reports Marcus Weisgerber, who described the panel as cordial, but tense. Many defense officials worry about an accidental encounter trigging larger conflict in the region. – YaleGlobal