How can politicians best prevent unexpected events in the South China Sea? A series of ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meetings in Laos, which lasted until July 27, saw many exchanges between the US and China but found no clear path to easing tensions.
That’s because China refuses to stop its aggressive, lawless maritime expansion. Japan, the US and other countries must deter Beijing from these steps through multilateral cooperation, while at the same time supporting the Philippines, which is under strong pressure from its giant neighbor in disputed waters.
