China Stands Strong, Everyone Wondering Why Now?

Following the release of the Chinese fishing boat captain, Beijing did not back down from its strong stance, requiring twice from Tokyo to apologize and compensate, which Japan has flatly refused. Beijing's strong stance has everyone wondering, why now?

According to one analysis by Adam Segal of Council on Foreign Relations, Chinese has been showing strong stance over the disputed marine territory for a while, at least can be traced back to 2005, when itfired on Vietnamese ships. Beijing has been building on Mischief Reef, which sits in water claimed by the Philippines as part of its Exclusive Economic Zone since 1999.

The strong stance has stirred some unspoken fear from Chinese neighbors. According to Japanese media TBS report, Korean media compared to the release as a surrender from Tokyo to Chinese strong-hand diplomacy.

In my previous analysis, and echoed by the New York Times article, the U.S. seems to be getting the rare opportunity to reassert itself in Asia, especially among countries with maritime territorial dispute with China.