Effects of China's Sovereignty Claims in the South China Sea

The US ability to project power is a major factor ensuring freedom of movement and security into the Western Pacific region. In the decade following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US capability to project power has been effectively unchallenged. This period of operating with relative impunity is rapidly coming to an end with the rise of a modern Chinese military power that will soon become a peer competitor. China has become more aggressive in its claims of indisputable sovereignty over territories in the SCS and appears intent on trying to exercise control over the zone by denying the US access. Freedom of movement through the South China Sea is vital to facilitating the US global posture. Chinas renewed assertiveness and rapid military transformation have increased the potential for those interests to be undermined. If the US allows these claims, of indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, to go unchecked or unchallenged the US could lose its ability to project power into the region. USCDRPACOM finds itself at a cross-road, either take a more proactive approach to deter China s aggressive actions and to reassure our allies and partners of our commitment to the region or risk the loss of military access to areas vital to its security.