ASSESSMENTS

Even a Pandemic Does not Stop the South China Sea Competition

undefined and Director, Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE
Rodger Baker
Director, Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE, Stratfor

Apr 28, 2020 | 11:00 GMT

A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills Jan. 2, 2017, in the South China Sea.

A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills Jan. 2, 2017, in the South China Sea.

(STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Highlights

  • The United States and China have maintained a robust operational pace in the South China Sea despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • This suggests no reduction of operations is likely after the pandemic, which may have altered some of the tactical and operational aspects for the two Pacific powers, but has not removed either from the regional dynamic.

Numerous reports have raised fears that China is taking advantage of U.S. distraction and the sidelining of two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific due to the COVID-19 pandemic. China had made similar accusations against the United States earlier this year, claiming Washington was exploiting China's pandemic response to advance its own containment strategy. And both are correct in that the pandemic does not appear to have slowed down Chinese or U.S. activities in the region....

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