In this year's "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises between the United States and the Philippines, Australia is sending 80 soldiers to participate, and Japan has sent two frigates and one submarine, showing its eager desire for larger involvement.

The increasingly open intervention of external forces in the South China Sea and the emergence of signs that an alliance is being formed add even more uncertainties to the situation.

Due to China's self-restraint, up to now territorial disputes and frictions over maritime rights in the South China Sea have been generally under control. The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed between China and relevant Southeast Asian nations and talks on the making of a code of conduct had made the easing of tensions a general trend.