Here are some examples of how shamefare could work in practice:
- When China lays down concrete to construct a new runway that could be used to patrol the area, photos and video should be distributed to the media immediately.
- If Beijing does place advanced fighter jets or missiles on its new islands, the world should have pictures and video plastered on every major news outlet as soon as possible.
- If U.S. vessels exercising freedom of navigation come under Chinese harassment in the South China Sea, the episodes should be captured on video and placed on YouTube immediately.
Shaming China repeatedly for its actions will allow America and its allies to win the battle of competing narratives and put Beijing on the defensive. China would be left having to constantly explain its actions. Being a member of the media, I know what a powerful ally it can be. America needs to use it to its advantage.
3. Turn A2/AD Against China:
As many have stated in various publications, China is not the only actor that can use an anti-access strategy to negate advanced military muscle. The United States could very easily help other South China Sea claimants develop or purchase advanced anti-ship weapons - or at least look the other way as they do so. Japan, for example, could sell the Type 12 missile system to various South China Sea claimants. While the missile has limited capabilities compared to Chinese platforms, the system could be updated to increase its range, making it even more deadly. Additional anti-ship and ground attack platforms could be purchased from third parties or developed jointly, with the goal of quickly destroying any bases or stationed weapons systems based on China's new islands.
4. Don't Respect Beijing's Core Interests:
If Beijing wants to raise the stakes in the South China Sea, it should know its actions will have repercussions across the region - even in the areas it holds most dear.
Recent publications mark a subtle shift in the thinking of U.S.-based China and Asia scholars. The gist of it is this: If China is hell-bent on changing the international order in Asia to accommodate its own wants and aspirations, why should America respects its core interests anymore?
For example, if Taiwan wishes to enhance its own military with progress toward new conventional submarines, or by purchasing updated F-16 or even F-35 aircraft, Washington should help. America could even float the possibility of large arms sales agreements with Vietnam and the Philippines as a way to level the playing field. Washington could also speak out to a much greater extent on human rights abuses in China - specifically in Tibet and Xinjiang. Regular invitations to the White House for the Dali Lama and Chinese human rights activists would certainly get Beijing's attention.
5. Make the Ultimate Threat (It's Not War):
China's growing power has always been rooted in its economic rise. Bearing in mind Beijing's actions over the last several years, it is long past time for Washington to consider whether its deep trade and economic relationship with China now runs counter to its own national interests. Should America's economic success be so intertwined with a rising China that routinely challenges the international order?
The mere threat to reverse decades of U.S. economic policy would be enough to give Beijing pause. U.S.-Chinese bilateral trade is worth more than $550 billion. Even the slightest hint of a change would have powerful ramifications - and would likely be opposed by many in the American business community who have made their fortunes in China. Yet, with $1.2 trillion-worth of U.S. seaborne trade passing through the South China Sea, and with a global commons that has stood the test of time now under threat, Washington has a powerful reason to hint at reconsidering its economic relationship with Beijing (and an even more important reason to ensure the Trans-Pacific Partnership becomes reality).