The Defense Authorization Act And China’s Maritime Moves

In the East China Sea, where Tokyo and Beijing have overlapping claims, Chinese ships and planes have repeatedly faced off against Japanese vessels and aircraft in recent years.

The draft authorization bill calls on the Pentagon to assess China’s maritime strategies and capabilities, including Chinese anti-access and area denial strategies, and how these affect U.S. strategy in the Asia-Pacific. Congress also asks the Defense Department for a description of ongoing and planned changes in U.S. military capabilities in the region.

The draft bill requests an annual briefing on military-to-military engagements between the United States and China and how these exchanges will “reduce the potential for miscalculation and tensions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.” It also asks for a detailed description of “all planned and potential military-to-military engagements” between the United States and China in the subsequent 12 months.

This increased congressional attention will make clear to the Pentagon that it has the strong backing of Congress to monitor and respond to China’s assertive actions in the Asia-Pacific’s two largest maritime disputes.

Murray Hiebert serves as senior fellow and deputy director of the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS in Washington, DC. He earlier worked as a journalist in Asia for the Wall Street Journal and the Far Eastern Economic Review.