Opinion | the danger of us testing china’s red lines in the south china sea

US-China relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades and both powers are on the brink of a clash in the South China Sea. Yet, despite the danger and delicacy of the situation,

and vehement Chinese warnings, the US is ramping up its military activities and testing China’s “red lines” and patience. Advertisement Why is the United States risking confrontation? Maybe

China hardliners in the Trump administration think it will help the president’s re-election bid. Or perhaps, this is “normal” military posture around a distracting presidential election to

ensure China does not miscalculate. Whatever the reason, the US is pushing China’s buttons and China is responding – making a clash increasingly probable. Earlier this month, the US

undertook such an operation – its eighth this year – near the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands, a particularly sensitive area where China has a major base and the administrative capital

for its claimed South China Sea possessions. The US action was also seen as supportive of Vietnam’s stepped-up campaign against China for the islands, which it also claims. 02:32

Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China tensions Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China

tensions This comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on July 13 that the US “will support countries all across the world who recognise that China has violated their legal

territorial claims”, vowing to “use all the tools we can”.