Lowy report: Chinese rivalries risk spiralling conflict in South China Sea

By John Garnaut
Updated December 11 2014 - 12:28am, first published December 10 2014 - 11:45pm
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.  Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.  Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.  Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.  Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
A February 2014 photo taken by surveillance planes for the Philippines government shows Chinese construction work on Johnson Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs

Fierce rivalry between Chinese civilian, paramilitary and military agencies has created a "genuine risk" of conflict in the South China Sea, says a new report.