Publication

This brief argues that by sending an oil rig to Vietnam's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea (SCS) in May 2014, China has made four strategic mistakes. The move 1) leaves Vietnam with no choice but to react; 2) violates the principles of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the SCS and deepens suspicions among regional countries about Beijing's true intentions; 3) strips China of a pretext to defend its military modernization; and 4) threatens to destabilize regional security.