And lastly, I would be remiss not to mention Europe since we have gathered in this distinguished European setting. I would ask Europe to speak up, loudly and often, about China’s lawlessness. And I would ask Europe to show up in the South China Sea. Things could get very bad if the situation degenerates into a mano-a-mano, U.S.-against-China competition. It really shouldn’t be. We all benefit from maritime liberty, not just Americans—and thus we should all be its custodians, with all the hazards and risks custodianship entails.

If the Royal Navy and other European navies fly their flags in the South China Sea from time to time, Europe can telegraph that China is defying the entire seagoing community—not just its smaller neighbors or the United States. If we speak with one voice and back up that voice with steel, Beijing may—may—listen. And heed our message.

James Holmes is Professor of Strategy at the Naval War College and coauthor of Red Star over the Pacific (second edition forthcoming 2018). He presented these remarks at a Wilton Park (U.K.) dialogue on “Protecting Asia’s Rules-Based Order” this week. The views voiced here are his alone.

Image: U.S. Navy/Flickr.