Incidents at sea agreement solves—develops procedures and responses to prevent future escalation
Binnendijk 21- distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.
Hans Binnendijk, "#74: Create An “Incidents-At-Sea” Agreement Between the United States and China," Atlantic Council, 4-3-2021, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/100-ideas-for-the-first-100-days/74-create-an-incidents-at-sea-agreement-between-the-united-states-and-china/-- 嘉玮
Why is the issue important?
As China continues to push its aggressive territorial claims in the SCS and elsewhere, and as the United States continues to enforce free access to disputed waters through FONOPS and other exercises, the risk of another accident between the US and Chinese military is rising. Relations between the two countries are much frostier than in 2001, meaning that a similar incident today could lead to further escalation.
What is the recommendation?
The Biden administration should negotiate an “Incidents-At-Sea” agreement with China that lays out procedures and responses to be taken by the two countries in case of accidents in contentious areas of ocean such as the SCS. Developing such safeguards could prevent a future accident from escalating into a full-blown conflict.