China's stick & carrot policy towards Asean not working

DESPITE strong opposition from China, the South China Sea issue was vigorously discussed by Asean foreign ministers at their annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week, as well as by foreign ministers of the United States, Japan and other countries.

The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, announced that China has finished island reclamation in disputed waters. However, what this means is that China will now move to the next stage of building infrastructure on these artificial islands, including military facilities.

Little wonder, then, that the Chinese official rejected an American proposal first made last year to stop reclamation, stop construction of facilities and stop militarisation.