China's Expansion into the South China Sea with Michael Auslin

Published October 27, 2022

Since 2013, China has been creating artificial islands in the South China Sea and turning them into military bases. It is attempting to solidify its claims to the strategically vital waters of the South China Sea inside the so-called nine-dash line. China’s actions have been met with little international resistance, endangering an important trade route that sees $5 trillion worth of goods flow through it each year. America needs to make a clear and credible commitment to reject China’s expansion in the South China Sea.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why doesn’t the international community stop China’s expansion?
2. How would the international community and China respond to America’s defending the South China Sea by rejecting China’s expansion? Why?

Additional Resources:

• Read “The Covert Art of China’s Military Activity in the East China Sea,” by Michael Auslin. Available here.
• Listen to “Asia Anxieties—Trump, Xi, Kim, and the Fate of the Indo-Pacific,” by Michael Auslin, available here.
• Read “In the South China Sea and Elsewhere, East Asia Stumbles Toward Conflict,” by Michael Auslin, available here.