Apparently, this “active concern” or “active neutrality “ of the US did not stop the “creeping assertiveness” of China as the latter began to beef up its presence in the South China Sea, especially starting from the beginning of the 21st century
• China’s power project into the South China Sea, or for that matter in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, has no doubt been noticeable
• So much so that the US under President Obama would have to state in clear terms that it has “a national interest in freedom of navigation, open access to Asia’s maritime domain, the maintenance of peace and stability, and respect for international law in the South China Sea”