China's geopolticial ambitions, Law of the Sea Treaty, and US policy relating to both

RBO's trademark deft weaving of seemingly distinct subjects to bring out their connection and importance shines in this post, which, complete with helpful graphics, is a window on China's rising geopolitical ambitions.

The post brings out the key point of the recent confrontation between an unarmed US naval vessel and Chinese boats: while the U.S. clamed to be in international waters, China claimed the U.S. had trespassed on China's territorial waters.

China's claiming of most of the South China Sea, an important trade route, pits it against five other nations that have claims on different parts of the sea. How all this fits with the Law of the Sea Treaty (its all-too-descriptive acronym is LOST) is worth your time to understand.