U.S. proposes construction freeze in South China Sea

Good idea but what exactly would China gain from agreeing to this?

Not getting isolated? Basically, China has been saving up a kind of "battery of goodwill" from the 70s up to a few years before 2010 while it gains national strength. Now, it is trying to expand while not completely exhausting that battery, because if it is exhausted before China gains real superiority, the world will go Full Cold War mode on it, which she is not quite ready for.

China will voluntarily volunteer to ignore this request. Even I know that!

It is diplomatically put, but one that's mostly aimed at China, since IIRC most of the new construction is Chinese.

OssanAmericaJUL. 12, 2014 - 06:59AM JST Good idea but what exactly would China gain from agreeing to this?

Nothing. Bilateral negotiations ensure that the CCP will never face anyone big enough on the other side of the table. Surmising that the Obama administration is too busy with the Middle East and having amassed enough hardware, they think it's the ideal time to take what they want.

I think the time will come JoeBigs. China increases regional arrogance and continues to build its military. That is an indicator to me they will only become more a threat to their neighbors and beyond.

Communist China will not go for this, in their warped mind they own everything in both the East and South China sea. Only way to stop them is by a show of force.

Communist China is a bully and most if not all bullies respect only one thing, force.

Good luck making China accept that. The US can spout what they want, China is forging ahead with annexation and construction.

Good idea but what exactly would China gain from agreeing to this?

China gains by ignoring it. The rule of law and agreements apply to others.

Good idea but what exactly would China gain from agreeing to this?

China treats the South China Sea like Israeli settlements.