Aerial view of Woody and Rocky Islands. These are part of the Paracel Islands Chain.
SUMMARY
As of June 6th, images taken in the first week of June show that China has removed or relocated the surface-to-air missile systems from Woody Island, a disputed territory in the South China Sea. Beijing-based naval expert, Li Jie, said that the removal was temporary and for the purpose of maintenance. China accused the United States is militarizing South China Sea by sending attacking weapon to the region. Territorial tensions between China and the Philippines and Vietnam have been less heated even though Beijing has been continuing to build military and industrial outposts in man-made islands in the South China Sea. Militarizing the disputed territories further added to the political backlash from regional neighbors and the U.S.
FAO GLOBAL ASSESSMENT
Roughly $5 trillion USD in goods rely on safe passage through the South China Sea for shipping China and other Asian countries, it will be important to carefully watch how territorial disputes evolve. If Beijing decides to make major moves to take control of the area or affect shipping routes, the US Trump administration will likely respond swiftly and place naval assets in the area, more so than in previous months. However, Beijing's approach seems to be slow and measured, only picking fights with less capable neighbors and keeping this disputes cold, ensuring that the tensions don't escalate into a conflict where the US may become directly engaged.
Related Links
- South China Morning Post: China ‘removes missile systems’ from disputed South China Sea island – but sends warning to US
- CNN: Beijing may have removed missiles from disputed South China Sea island
- Council on Foreign Relations – Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea
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