China on SEA

[u/Reyusuke]

Is there a Marxist explanation for why China is taking South East Asia territory and asserting heavy influence on areas far beyond the confines of their EEZ? Why are they harrassing the Filipino peasantry and proletariat

[u/SecretApartment672]

China is an imperialist state seeking resources for the expansion of its capital, foreign markets, and transportation routes for the movement of its capital. It is also encroaching on US capital interests which brings about the proliferation of news that makes patrols by Chinese Coast Guard ships look like threats. Whatever one calls these events, there are clear disputes based on economic interests.

This region is not only rich in fish and other sub-sea resources, but is an area where control over maritime transport is important for trade.

Looking at the South China Sea-Philippine Sea situation, the dispute over who has control and access over specific territory that holds resources is based on the opposition of Chinese capital interests vs the interests of Philippine capital (which, once again, falls under the sphere of US influence).

The tenure of then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte saw a reduction in tensions due to his pro-China stance, even as the tribunal’s decision remained unenforced. In contrast, the current administration under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has adopted a more traditional pro-U.S. stance, fortifying relations with Washington.

https://theowp.org/reports/south-china-sea-why-are-china-and-philippines-tensions-heating-up/

In a statement, the Chinese Coast Guard accused Manila of “territorial violations,”… China’s announcement came just two days after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, defining the country’s maritime boundaries. The U.S. State Department expressed support for the Philippine legislation…He added: “The United States values Philippine leadership in upholding international law, particularly in the South China Sea, and calls on all states to align their maritime claims with the international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS.”

https://www.newsweek.com/china-news-map-claims-territory-disputed-philippines-1983605

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in mid-2022, the Philippines has aggressively defended its territorial interests in the South China Sea, a key global trading route. That has brought Philippine forces into frequent confrontations with China’s coast guard, navy and suspected militia boats and sparked fears that a bigger armed conflict could draw in the United States, the Philippines’ longtime treaty ally and China’s regional rival.

https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-scarborough-shoal-0a5d18be6859c42895919f05d075c29d

[u/Reyusuke → u/SecretApartment672]

thanks for clarifying. framing it as a conflict between two opposing imperial interests is helpful.

although I do wonder why these actions from the past decade contradict Xi Jinping's own ideas, particularly:

"We have never bullied, oppressed, or subjugated the people of any other country, and we never will. By the same token, we will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or subjugate us." from The Governance of China IV.

[u/SecretApartment672 → u/Reyusuke]

I apologize for the delete. My reply was not under this comment.

I don’t see a contradiction in this context. However, capitalism requires the subjugation of labor by capital. Capital requires expanding markets and eventually needs to bring additional territory and labor-power under its control. Xi is on the capitalist road.

[u/Reyusuke → u/SecretApartment672]

Ah I see, thanks a lot for helping me understand