A South China Sea US warship route

Given this, China needs overseas infrastructure contracts as much as - and potentially more - than recipient countries. These must now worry about turning over critical infrastructure to a country with potentially expanding 'indisputable' claims.

Given the above, providing access to international infrastructure projects critical to maintaining internal Chinese social stability has now become a key - but under-recognized - point of leverage for recipient countries.

A US navy flotilla tour of the South China Sea may demonstrate to China that the 'going out' strategy of its world-class economic infrastructure industry may now be at risk from her South China Sea territorial claims.

Creating Joint Development Zones in the South China Sea finesses this problem. It kicks territorial finality down the road to a time when the stakes are lower because the energy resources have been developed. It also shows flexibility and a willingness to compromise. This raises trust.

Reed Bank offers such a potential outcome. It provides CNOOC, Philex and SC72 a chance to 'get it right.'

A US flotilla tour could provide the opportunity to demonstrate the potential.