Too Close for Comfort: The Dangerous U.S.-China Maritime Disputes

Both the U.S. and China must bear responsibility for the ratcheting up of tension in the SCS and East China Sea. Washington clings to “freedom of navigation” as its principal reason for challenging Chinese claims even though unencumbered passage has not denied U.S. or any other country’s ships. Beijing should be consistent in recognizing that a legitimate dispute exists, just as it demands that Japan acknowledge a sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyutai/Senkaku islands.

Mel Gurtov, Editor-in-Chief, Asian Perspective via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/28IhOda