I have always seen the CCP's ridiculous and entirely fictional nine dash line as something similar to Imperial Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in the 1930s. There's an oily reason why it dips so close to the Bruneian and Malaysian coasts.
Just wait until you see the twelve-dash line!
In the meantime, think you'll find that China's Russian dependency will provide all the necessary hydrocarbons.
A restatement of US policies for specific shoals based on UNCLOS ruling, and a specific warning on Chinese-govt mandated use of Maritime Militias against eg Philippine interests
Recent issues at the Three Gorges will have highlighted to small neighbouring countries that you don't have to be a member of the nuclear club to have the ability to respond to a belligerent China. That dam is a massive Sword of Damocles hanging over Eastern China.
This is how China behaves on the international stage. It breaches its 50 year obligations on Hong Kong's autonomy, then when Britain responds mildly, and supports Hong Kong citizens, it issues THREATS against free nations.
It actually thinks its THREATS can control free nations, who are free to express opinions and take actions independently of failed Totalitarian states like the CCP-dictated Communist China regime. https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...on-china-warns
Similarly in the South China Sea, it has built artificial islands and OUTRIGHT LIED to President Obama claiming they would not be militarised and then DID THE OPPOSITE!
China AS A FULL SIGNATORY to UNCLOS, then ignored the 2016 Arbitral ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague calling it "WASTE PAPER", further demonstrating its total ARROGANCE and DISREGARD for International Law. https://amti.csis.org/failing-or-inc...ea-arbitration
I personally hope the citizens of Hong Kong can rise up and throw off the authoritarian shackles of their CCP oppressors and that Taiwan as a SOVEREIGN NATION STATE can rejoin the World Health Organisation and defend its National Independence against the Chinese Thuggish regime.
ASEAN and the Free World is now FULLY AWAKE to the Chinese Threat to Peace in the World, of Internationally Law Abiding Nations...
Bookmarks