What response, anything short of war and sanctions means less than nothing. China is a developing nation, we are communist in name, we are strong but not in the Western order like Japan. How much worse can this reputation get.
Isolating China is just a fantasy dreamed by random people. Even Iran and North Korea isn't totally isolated, but China can be? Certainly support may be too much to ask for, as the US is still the undisputed world power, but isolation seems unlikely to say the least.
Other than that, freedom of navigation, demonstrations, and what else is new? Even in 1996 America sailed her carrier to China's shores, so how is this any different. If anything, this is an improvement to 1996.
In terms of international organizations, like AIIB and all that, I'm quite sure feelings on China was set even then, so if there is to be any problems here, it would most than likely be based on performance than anything else.
China and the US were ideological enemies in the 70s, yet we became allies due to interests. As much as people like to play up this issue, it's no where near the cold war level of hostilities, and that was ended in an instant.
Philippines, Vietnam, and who else can shout whatever they want, but in the end we are no playing in the same league. What's Vietnam's end game, compete to be a world power? Doubtful. A far more likely goal is regional supremacy, and for that you need a global backer. In this the US already has a favorite, at the very least, it wouldn't be possible to have two.
This won't happen now or a year from now, just like US China relations deteriorated over time, eventually, Chinese perception will change. But it won't change for the better if China is not seen as capable to hold our own internationally.
I'm not saying China will do either, both seems unimportant, but perception isn't as long lasting as some seem to think and actions? The reason China haven't gone to war over this is the same reason no one else will do anything concrete.
nice try, commies.
