Insight: China owns South China Sea
The US appears to have lost the South China Sea permanently to China due to a failure by Washington to check China’s long-term strategy of ‘salami slicing’, its incremental actions that have gained an area the size of India under Chinese military control.
The conclusions were hammered out in a new report issued on 19 July by the US Congressional Research Service and viewed by Shephard. The report is intended for members of the US Congress.
The report, ‘China’s Actions in South and East China Seas: Implications for US Interests’, by Ronald O’Rourke, said that up until 2014
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.