How Oil Drives the South China Sea Conflict

Mar 19, 2018 | Tim Daiss
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While it’s no secret that China has been intensifying its building frenzy, including military installations on islands, reefs and inlets in the heavily disputed South China Sea, it is also becoming increasingly clear that Beijing is not afraid to draw a line in the sand over these mostly dubious claims. Late last week, while downplaying his country’s geopolitical ambitions, China's foreign minister Wang Yi still couldn’t resist plugging the party line. “Beijing's resolve to protect the peace and the stability of the South China Sea cannot be shaken," Wang said, adding that the problems in the region are due to "foreign forces" which "have sent fully armed warships and fighters to the South China Sea to flaunt their military might.”