One could offer a possible interpretation. As China is a rising power, its land reclamation could change the geostrategic balance of power in the region in China's favor, while other claimants could not. No matter how Vietnam and the Philippines use their claims, they have neither the intent nor capacity to affect sea lanes of communication or to change the regional balance of power. But given China's magnitude, it could as long as it would be willing to do so.

This could be a big misunderstanding of China. China is merely doing the same as other ASEAN states are doing. China is understood to have committed not to conducting more reclamation, and not to be militarizing these artificial structures. These are serious commitment made at high level. China's intent is to use these expanded structures to offer international civil goods such as beacons and weather forecasting. Understandably China would improve its defense facilities there in certain limited ways for legitimate interests.

As the US cites "international code" to conduct close-in reconnaissance missions in the air and at sea toward these low-tide elevations, it significantly increases the risks of misunderstanding between the two armed forces. Even though the US may deem such reefs don't qualify as territorial water and associated space, China is still entitled to the sovereignty of the rocks, and the US reckless overflights and sailing increases the chance of miscalculation and conflict. Though China has committed not to militarize these reefs, the US excessive exercise of freedom of navigation could be rather unhelpful. By threatening China unnecessarily, the US could provoke China to build up defense over these rocks.

Mutual suspicion between China and the US should be dissolved through dialogue and transparency. It would be desirable if China could brief America of Beijing's reclamation moves beforehand in the future. It would also be constructive if the US would abandon its approach of microphone diplomacy. Washington should rethink whether it makes sense to send naval vessels again to close-in waters of those reclaimed reefs. Both parties must strive not to repeat accidents like the air collision on April Fool's Day of 2001.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/shendingli.htm

This article was first published at Chinausfocus.com To see the original version please visit http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/lowering-the-tension-in-south-china-sea/

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