A report to Congress states that China’s continuous military expansion in the disputed South China Sea could become a threat to international maritime security if the Chinese military deploys its forces to newly constructed bases in the region.
The late May report to lawmakers by the Congressional Research Service, released Tuesday, said Chinese forces will soon be able to challenge the U.S. presence in the region and could “extend its influence thousands of miles to the south and project power deep into Oceania.”
The CRS report added the Chinese military could also “easily overwhelm the military forces of any South China Sea-claimants” and questioned whether China was violating international maritime laws by attempting to regulate the activities of foreign military forces operating within China’s exclusive economic zone.
“In short, China is now capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States,” said the report.
