Experts believe that China already has a significant presence in the East Sea, going ahead of the US, and will use this advantage to force small countries to follow them. The US cruiser USS Shiloh launches a missile during an exercise in the waters of the Philippines. Photo: Reuters The East Sea in 2020 can be generalized by the following features: The increase of China’s presence after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s rulings in 2016 The gathering of countries inside and outside the region through the exchange of notes against China’s 9-dash line, asking China to strictly abide by the PCA’s ruling and affirming United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) as the universal and unified legislation for all activities in the oceans, and the foundation to determine the ability to create seas, sovereignty rights, jurisdiction and legitimate interests over waters” as well as to resolve disputes in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea). ASEAN has made new efforts to build a unified stance under the leadership of the ASEAN chair - Vietnam. The influence of the US presidential election will occur in efforts to shape the Pacific - Indian Ocean strategy of the US and its allies. Competition between the US and China is increasingly fierce through diplomatic notes, gunboats, and wolf warrior diplomacy in the East Sea. Both the US and China want to entice ASEAN countries. Washington wants to emphasize a strong US, committed to continuing its presence in the region, ensuring the maintenance of international law, and not letting any party monopolize the East Sea. Beijing considers the East Sea as "core interest" and is not afraid of American power, and will continue to strengthen military operations and its presence in the East Sea as its backyard. The Covid-19 pandemic did not make it difficult for China, but caused a great impact on the concentration of countries in the region on the East Sea issue. …
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