They made good on their plans. The USS Lassen, a destroyer of the US Navy, sailed within 12 nautical miles of several artificial islands claimed by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea. An obvious challenge to its spurious if not utterly ridiculous claims to almost the whole ocean. The warship sailed close to Subi, Mischief, and Fiery Cross reefs. These normally submerged sandbars were built up through reclamation by the Chinese, and have constructed buildings, lighthouses and even runways for obvious military use. While the US does not have a position on the territorial claims of several countries in the region, it does want to make sure that freedom of navigation still exists, and will exist in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the twelve nautical mile territorial waters rule does not apply to artificial islands, of which all these Chinese reefs are. They only hold true for natural land masses visible at high tide. Technically, the waters are still international and are therefore open to all vessels. But not to the Chinese, who are even signatories to UNCLOS. It is obvious they are ignoring all internationally accepted rules because these do not serve their purpose. For them, it is all about military power and the threat of using it.
As expected, the Chinese are furious at the actions of the US, calling it a political and military provocation. But where is their usual response when their supposed territory is being crossed? Where is the blocking of ships? Where is the water cannon? Where are all the bullying tactics they employ whenever smaller countries like Vietnam and the Philippines allegedly encroach on their territory? The answer is obvious.
This is definitely an escalation into the already tense situation in the Spratlys and Paracel Islands. But the government sees no problem with US warships patrolling the international waters, or even sailing close to these so-called islands. It is seen as a balancing of power. China has always been the bully of the region, because of its immense military. This is the US saying, not so fast. The patrols will continue, according to the US, not only on international waters but also in international airspace. Many analysts are now closely watching this hotspot, as the potential for an escalation into conflict seems very possible. And while that is something nobody wants, it is something that might have to be on the table. I believe the country should start patrolling the waters as well, in coordination with the US Navy. We also have claims in the area, but do not resort to bullying nor threats. If the waters are truly free, then there should be no problem in patrolling them.
The country has done the right thing in elevating the problem in a proper firm. But the words "legal", "proper forum", "international law" are just words and phrases that the Chinese cannot seem to accept.
It is time they realize they cannot be the only power in the region, and that freedom of navigation cannot be taken away, especially by non-legal, baseless territorial claims.