While most of the world is concerned over the Chinese regime’s hypersonic flights, there are important matters happening that speak to a longstanding body of international law that has been codified and adopted by the United States. The Freedom of Navigation patrols seem dangerous and provocative, but they are important deterrents against aggression from the Chinese regime. The commitment to international law is undermined as Beijing’s reaction to those patrols reveals its aggressive and duplicitous rhetoric.
The benefits are far greater than the drawbacks. International law is often seen as a weak farce, particularly when powerful nations flout the concept. But it has important application in the South China Sea and Taiwan. Upholding international law helps to provide normal standards of conduct that avoid warfare. It allows ships to move on the high seas, and ships to move through territorial waters when they need to. It provides a forum for territorial disputes. And there are many disputes in the South China Sea where there are multiple overlapping claims between nations.
Thus, the United States upholding international law prevents disputes from being settled by force. Beijing’s claims that the United States threatened peace and stability in the region, and the regime had to “stand guard” are a ridiculous inversion of which nation and what actions are undermining peace. Without international law, brute force would often settle disputes—and this favors the Chinese regime, which has the biggest force and has been willing to flout international law in using it.
The Chinese regime has illegally built-up islands and placed advanced radar systems, anti-air batteries, and shipping docks that can handle blue water ships, submarine bases, and large runways that can support its advanced fighters (that are being built using stolen technology from the F-22 and F-35). Keep in mind that the regime is doing this in the Spratlys and other islands in the South China Sea that are vigorously disputed. It’s true that other nations have done so as well, but not to the extent that China has and not with the same degree of militarization.
Thus, the U.S. reaction of sending a warship through these islands is one of the most basic steps it could do to deter Chinese aggression. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer was an especially good pick, as it has the advanced Aegis radar systems to track and destroyer missile swarms that China is attempting to develop.
International waters is not the most exciting topic in the world, but it is incredibly important in understanding the tools for restraining the aggression of the Chinese regime. Freedom of Navigation patrols ensure that territorial claims are not unilaterally claimed by the biggest bully in the region. Furthermore, the patrols send a message to allies: The United States cares about restraining that bully by doing something as simple as sailing in international waters and saying so.