National security observers view the move as part of the chain of event in the Bamboo Curtain's initiative to re-balance the United State's pivot to Asia, covering a rich and most internationally traveled trade route in this part of maritime Asia. The rationale is, this forms part of the "far sea defense" (protect its 18,000 km coastline from ocean initiated attacks) in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea by claiming to enforce ancient history, ergo, sovereignty, in a nine-dash line with unmistakable military presence. This is about dominion, resources, and positioning for Beijing.

Espina, E. (2016, September 15). Scarborough Shoal taken!. Manila Bulletin, p. 12.