The US 7th Fleet Commander Robert Thomas recently stated that the United States would welcome a Japanese extension of air patrols into the South China Sea. The Pentagon subsequently expressed support for this statement and said this would help to maintain stability in the South China Sea.

We all know the South China Sea is not peaceful. In recent decades, several countries surrounding the region have been eroding Chinese territory and violating China's economic rights and interests in the region.

Meanwhile, the United States pushes its 'rebalancing'strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and expands its military presence in the region . For some time, the Unites States has not only conducted close surveillance over China, but also expanded its alliances and partnerships in the region.

The Unites States is an obvious agitator in the South China Sea disputes, which would be resolved through direct negotiation without US interference.

Senior US military officials and officials of the Department of Defense are now encouraging Japan to get involved in South China Sea affairs Their objectives are as follows:

First, by expanding the internationalization of the South China Sea, to exert more international pressure on China; second, through a joint show of force by the United States and Japan, to upgrade the deterrent to China; third, sending a signal to the other parties involved that they have no need to rely on diplomatic means to seek mutual benefits; they can depend on the interference of the United States.

The United States has nothing more to offer than continued dominance in East Asia. It appears to take the view that neither China nor any of the other countries which are actually located in this region are entitled to develop rules that apply there. China only seeks to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests of national sovereignty, and does not seek any special entitlements. The South China Sea has historically belonged to China, and its neighboring countries have accepted that as a fact in the past.

The United States has repeatedly encouraged Japan to patrol in the region, an indication that it hopes to take advantage of the Sino-Japanese conflict to hinder independent consultations between China and the ASEAN countries.

In the name of regional stability, the United States is sowing discord in the South China Sea. It will not succeed in its attempts to dominate the region, and the East Asian countries should realize that achieving regional development and security depend on cooperation.

The author is Shen Dingli, a professor and associate dean at the Institute of International Studies of Shanghai-based Fudan University.

This article was edited and translated from 美国为何唯恐南海不乱, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Shen Dingli.