The July 28 announcement that Beijing and Moscow will be carrying out “routine” joint naval exercises in the South China Sea in September is merely the latest indication that Beijing is firmly digging in its heels on its maritime territorial claims. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a news conference in Beijing that, “this is a routine exercise between the two armed forces, aimed at strengthening the developing China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership” and that it “is not directed against third parties.” But this high-profile show of strength isn’t going to fool anyone.

For those who were holding out a glimmer of hope that the July 12 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling against Beijing over the South China Sea would temper Beijing’s aggressive behavior, one thing is now crystal clear: China’s past charm offensive aimed at Southeast Asia is as dead as a door-nail. Beijing has chosen the role of schoolyard bully over the mantle of being regarded as a “responsible stakeholder” by the international community.