Laura Zhou

A decade after Beijing rejected The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on its South China Sea claims, rival nations continue to maneuver for control. Chinese tourists recently visited Tree Island in the disputed Paracels, illustrating the gap between international law and geopolitical reality in the region.

Central Asia is increasingly aligning with China due to geopolitical instability, particularly as the US-Israel war on Iran disrupts global supply chains and exacerbates water security concerns. The region's vulnerabilities, highlighted by the conflict, may drive it to seek Chinese support for critical resources.