China, the traditional hegemon

A lesson that came through in UK’s Chilcot Report on the events leading up to invasion of Iraq in 2003 was that when dominant powers undermine multilateral institutions, the outcome is disastrous.
It is a lesson China will not heed. Unmindful of the apprehensions of its neighbours, China has chosen to behave in the way of all preceding dominant powers. It will heed a multilateral institution only when it suits its interest. Otherwise China will practice its 21st version of gunboat diplomacy.
The verdict of Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the South China Sea dispute went unambiguously against China. Though China did not participate in the arbitration, PCA investigated China’s territorial claims of South China Sea. After investigation, the verdict was that the complainant Philippines’ sovereign rights had been violated by China.
China refuses to accept the verdict. But it needs to ask itself one question. If it had been less belligerent earlier, Philippines may not have wanted to approach PCA. It might have been willing to use bilateral engagements in an attempt to find a solution.
China’s approach following the verdict is almost surely going to lead to an increased US naval presence in South China Sea. Other countries which dispute China’s claims like Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia might encourage US presence as a form of insurance against hostile behaviour.
Hostility on China’s part also undermines its claim to be a different kind of big power, mindful of another country’s sovereignty. China is really no different. And unlike US or UK, China does not even have an internal system of checks and balances. There will be no Chilcot kind of report coming out of China. More’s the pity.