U.S. Navy Challenges Beijing a Second Time

[Valin]

Via Meadia: Feb 1 2016

 

Over the weekend, the United States Navy sailed a destroyer within 12 miles of Triton Island in the Paracels, a series of islands that China considers its territory and that it has fortified. Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims to the territory, but they were largely quiet after the U.S. operation. Beijing, predictably, protested loudly. The New York Times reports:

 

(Snip)

 

Beijing was scrambling to spin a face-saving narrative over the weekend. Although the Pentagons spokesman said there were no Chinese ships in the area throughout the duration of the operation, Chinese officials told domestic media that a PLA garrison had successfully repulsed the U.S. destroyer. The apparently false comments underscore the importance of the South China Sea as a propaganda tool to appease Chinese nationalists, for whom Chinese sovereignty in the Spratlys and the Paracels is a paramount concern.

 

American observers who feel compelled to combat Beijings falsehoods should pause and consider: The dynamic that played out this weekend, thought not ideal, might not be such a bad thing. As long as the United States can continue to patrol the South China Sea and protect freedom of navigation, it might be best to let Beijing tell its citizens what they want to hear.