The Symbolic Value of Naval Ships in the South China Sea

With China aggressively laying sole claim on the entire South China Sea, which facilitates over $3 trillion worth of maritime trade annually, leading to conflict and impasse between countries including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, the South China Sea has become a very important topic globally. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed QUAD’s strategy to counter China’s aggression, bilateral security mechanisms for the region, security challenges due to sovereign claims by Beijing in South China Sea and the road ahead. The expert panel, comprising of senior fellow for Asia-Pacific security at International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore Dr Lynn Kuok; Non-resident fellow at Hudson Institute USA, Dr Satoru Nagao and Head of National Security College at Australian National University Professor Rory Medcalf; came together with Smita Prakash and discussed various aspects of disputes arising due to Beijing’s aggressive territorial policies and claims over South and East China Sea. The panel also evaluated security challenges posed by China, US and India’s interest in the region and world’s view on India-China conflict.