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he behavior and rhetoric of China and Russia re- pines, that China had no historical claim to disputed islands, garding vital shipping lanes in international waters China doubled down, and said they would not relinquish their have been alarming. Disputed sovereignty claims self-anointed sovereignty, and have stated that anyone who and efforts to enforce them have the maritime world sails or ? ies there in attempt to assert freedom of navigation

T on edge. China’s nine-dash line claims about owning the entire would be a provocation and worthy of a strong (read that to

East and South China Sea have created a dilemma for them- mean military) response.

selves and the other nations in the region. Nevertheless, China has still been invited to participate in

The Philippines v. China case with the Permanent Court of RIMPAC 2016. And Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jona-

Arbitration in The Hague commenced on Jan. 22, 2013, when than Richardson has taken a proactive approach of going to the Philippines served China with a noti? cation and state- China to visit his counterpart and to tour the Peoples Libera- ment of claim “with respect to the dispute with China over the tion Army-Navy naval academy and other facilities. It may maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines in the West Philippine not be extending the olive branch, but Richardson is making a

Sea.” positive and ? rst step. China could seize the opportunity and

When the International Court ruled in favor of the Philip- halt construction for the time being. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tomas Compian/Released)

Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 ? y in formation above USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) during an air-and-sea-power demonstra- tion. Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-

Asia-Paci? c, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. www.marinelink.com 29

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