1、J a n u a r y 9,2 0 1 2 By Yun SunE A S T A N D S O U T H C H I N A S E A S B U L L E T I N 1Studying the South China Sea:The Chinese Perspective Tensions in the oil-rich and strategically important South China Sea escalated in 2011,raising serious concerns about the danger of military conflicts bet
2、ween China and other claimant countries.Not only did Chinas increased presence in the Spratly Islands lead to major incursions into waters claimed by the Philippines in the first five months of the year,1 two incidents of Chinese vessels cutting underwater cables intensified the confrontation betwee
3、n China and Vietnam,leading to Vietnams live-fire exercises and six military drills by Chinas South Sea Fleet in June.2 Moreover,the Chinese Navys rising power projection capability in the South China Sea is rapidly changing the already unbalanced power structure.From Beijings perspective,U.S.interv
4、ention in the South China Sea increases the tension.The South China Sea encompasses all four basic pillars of Chinas foreign policy strategy:major power relations(the United States);relations with neighboring countries(ASEAN member states,Japan,India,and others);relations with developing countries(i
