"The water was beautiful for China in the South China Sea in 2017," said Michael Fuchs, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. "The Chinese continue to pace with their long-term strategy to gain de facto control over the sea lanes in the South China Sea. And diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the South China Sea did move forward. JUST WATCHED Military bases destroy reefs in S. China Sea Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Military bases destroy reefs in S. China Sea 03:29Hubris? Experts believe this is all part of Beijing's strategy of patience in the South China Sea.

Source: CNN December 26, 2017 03:33 UTC