ASEAN-China sea code remains years away

Significance

China’s continued assertion of its expansive claims not only creates friction between Beijing and the South-east Asian claimants but also increases US-Chinese tensions.

Impacts

• China will keep sending survey ships, coast guard vessels and its maritime militia to the exclusive economic zones of ASEAN claimant states.
• Friction between the Philippines -- one of the ASEAN claimants -- and China will rise as Manila tightens its alliance with Washington.
• US military forces will increase the frequency of their operations in the South China Sea, angering Beijing.