Bonnie S. Glaser: Conflict in the South China Sea

Bonnie S. Glaser: Conflict in the South China Sea - Council on Foreign Relations:
"Beijing's intention to exert greater control over the South China Sea appears undiminished.
In 2012, China forcibly seized control of the previously unoccupied Scarborough Reef during a standoff with Philippine maritime vessels, despite agreeing to a mutual withdrawal brokered by Washington. 
China has seemingly been emboldened by this easy, cost-free conquest: it has since begun construction of artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago that will enable it to extend the range of the Chinese navy, air force, coast guard, and fishing fleets in just a few years.
Once sufficient capabilities are in place for round-the-clock maritime and air presence over the South China Sea, Beijing is likely to declare an air defense identification zone (ADIZ), similar to the ADIZ it declared over the East China Sea in November 2013.
The scale and pace of China's dredging activity has alarmed rival claimants Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
The dispute between China and the Philippines over the Second Thomas Shoal deserves immediate attention. "