South China Sea: Malaysia, Indonesia, And Vietnam Beat China At Its Own Game
▻https://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2020/01/10/south-china-sea-malaysia-indonesia-and-vietnam-beat-china-at-its-own-game
This isn’t the first time Malaysia appealed to the UN to protect its territories. Back in 2009, it joined Vietnam to submit for an extension of CLCS beyond 200 nautical miles (nm) in 2009, a year after, had submitted its petition for an extension of CLCS beyond 200 nm in the northwest area of Sumatra Island on June 16, 2008.
“This move is a departure from earlier protests notes issued by Malaysia on China’s activities including the presence of its coast guards near Malaysian territorial waters,” adds Goswami. “Protests notes were never made public though. Therefore, to submit to the UN on its continental shelf claim is strategic escalation, and beating China on its own game; the use of lawfare to settle disputes.”
For years, China has made a reputation for using UN lawfare to advance its South China Sea agenda. Now Malaysia and its neighbors have “turned the tables” on Beijing. They, too, have been using the UN to advance their own South China Sea agenda.
