China using provocation, strong arm tactics in South China Sea: Analyst
Senior political scientist for the US-based RAND Corporation Andrew Scobell has said that China is using provocations, pressure and strong-arm tactics in the South China Sea all the while appearing reasonable and selling “carrots” in seeking a negotiated solution.On July 1, China sent a coast guard ship into the disputed waters of the South China Sea just to provoke its neighbors and the West. Vessel-track data showed it stopped at Subi Reef, one of China’s numerous military bases in the Spratly Islands, on July 2.Scobell, also a professor at Marine Corps University sees this as Beijing’s moves to strengthen its claims, using all instruments of national power.“Many Chinese Coast Guard vessels are a lot bigger than many of the ships in most Southeast Asian navies. This is all about, from a
