China's Bold Response to US Naval Incursion in South China Sea
China has returned to its aggressive "wolf warrior" diplomacy by condemning the US for the alleged illegal entry of a warship into waters claimed by China in the South China Sea. This move comes despite recent improvements in China-Australia relations and is seen as a ratcheting up of pressure to support China's spurious claims over the Nine-Dash Line. China's assertiveness has been counterproductive, pushing countries in the region to align more with the US. China accused the US of unlawful maritime navigation, but its claims to the Nine-Dash Line have been dismissed by a tribunal operating under UNCLOS. The Chinese reaction is seen as an attempt to intimidate, but the real source of instability lies in the provocative behavior of PLA forces in the South China Sea.