Some would argue that Australia, the United States and others in the region have done more than just wring their hands by conducting naval and air freedom-of-navigation activities. Maybe so, but the fact remains China continues to expand its operations and project its power in the region from these constructed islands, despite the patrols and the international rhetoric condemning their creation. In just the latest example, China has landed long-range bombers that could cover a large area of the waters.

To date, the collective strategy towards China has been focused on countering its activities. Such an approach tends to leave one constantly on the back foot, reacting instead of leaning forward. And, the strategy is one dimensional – reliant almost exclusively on military power.

So how do Australia and its partners get on the front foot? By aggressively engaging China to connect with them in and around the South China Sea. For example, China recently established a base in Djibouti to ensure the safety of its commercial shipping from piracy in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia. However, according to 2017 and 2018 statistics from the United Nations and the International Maritime Bureau, these waters are not the world’s most perilous seas. The sea lanes around the Malacca Straits and in the Java and South China seas are where pirate attacks occur most often.

So why not engage China to use these new land masses in the South China Sea as bases for joint or combined operations with regional partners to block piracy and/or people smuggling? Additionally, such joint/combined bases could be used as forward staging areas for conducting humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.