China is using its aid to other countries in the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent pushback in its continuing aggression in the disputed South China Sea, a maritime law expert said Monday. Beijing is also using other claimant nations' pre-occupation with the pandemic to expand its control in the disputed waters, according to Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea. "One could argue that it is using this cooperation against any criticisms of China as a leverage against any actions or protests against China for its activities in the West Philippine Sea," he told ANC.

China pushes sea aggression, uses virus aids as camouflage. (2020, April 28). Manila Standard, A2.