Beijing Bullies

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/time-america-get-tough-china-12960

The way forward in the South China Sea is stronger ties with Taiwan and China's neighbors in the region as a buffer against Beijing's assertiveness. The big question for the region is, how committed are the Chinese to building and defending military outposts on tiny islands? Clearly they believe no power (Japan or the U.S) will push back sufficiently enough to cause them to remove the ramshackle bases already in the process of being built. Beijing is making a gamble that Americans won't risk insisting that international waters are keep free and open. The U.S. via the navy needs to increase its presence in the strait of Taiwan and start sending anti-aircraft artillery to bulk up Taiwanese defenses; Japan and the Philippines could be included in the pact as well. Obviously this is a framework to start with the details could be hammered out. The important aspect of dealing with China is deeds not words. Diplomatic condemnation is bullshit and Beijing will treat is as such. The mainland still sees Taiwan as a renegade province and even the suggestion that they enter into an agreement with other world powers is salt in an open wound. Any new weapons or technology with pacific powers could be removed, and should be, as part of a quid pro quo with the mainland over its claims on the Spratly Islands as well as the Senkaku Islands. Only firm resolve and commitment to work with pacific partners will force Beijing to back off.