China’s conduct is a threat to regional peace

The letter “S China Sea: All parties have rights they can assert” (Nov 30) mentioned Pedra Branca. Indeed, Malaysia and Singapore were agreeable to letting the International Court of Justice arbitrate their case.

The Philippines has rightly asked for arbitration because it is unable to challenge China militarily. Is China willing to let the same court preside over this dispute?

China has already militarised the South China Sea by building runways so that its warplanes are able to land. Can the minnow claimant states stand up to its military might and capability to transform islets into military bases?

The South China Sea issue is not about geopolitics between China and the United States. The claimants have a legitimate case, and China’s conduct is a threat to regional peace.

If proximity does not afford better rights, as the writer said, then why is there an international law stipulating a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone for nations to observe? China’s territorial claim against Malaysia exceeds that by 1,600km.

China has flooded the region with armed vessels disguised as fishing boats. Only a US naval vessel is safe to sail through the disputed waters.

So for the sake of peace, de-escalation should indeed begin. There must be a moratorium on islet reclamation, and the hearing at the International Court of Justice should take its course.