In a modern age where cooperation and diplomacy should rule, China’s recent actions have left its neighbors furious. It’s like a schoolyard bully deciding what they want, drawing lines on a map, and then expecting everyone else to just nod and accept it, even when others have rightful claims to those areas.

The Philippines, Malaysia, and India have all spoken out against China’s latest display of territorial aggression. China unveiled a new version of its national map, claiming areas that have long been contested by its neighbors. This isn’t the first time China has made such a move; they have been redrawing maps since 2006 to allegedly correct “problematic maps” that supposedly misrepresented their borders.

The Philippines, for instance, has firmly rejected the new map, especially the dashed line that encircles disputed portions of the South China Sea. This line disregards an international tribunal ruling in 2016 that favored Manila’s stance. The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs department stated that China’s latest map is an unjust attempt to assert sovereignty over areas that don’t legally belong to them.

India, too, found itself in the crosshairs of China’s audacious mapmaking. The inclusion of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai-Chin plateau within Chinese territory ignited India’s fury. India’s foreign secretary, Arindam Bagchi, minced no words in rejecting these claims as baseless. Malaysia also joined the chorus of disapproval, dismissing China’s “unilateral claims” over maritime features it has no right to.

China’s response has been to dismiss these objections as if they were trivial. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, these map revisions are merely routine exercises of sovereignty, in accordance with the law. But is it really that simple? The concerns raised by neighboring countries suggest otherwise.

This issue isn’t just about maps; it’s a telling sign of China’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China has been seeking to become a global superpower. Its bold moves and aggressive stances in key flashpoints across Asia have raised concerns about its intentions.

The added pressure is the uncertainty of what China might do to back up these claims. Their military is the strongest in the region and they have used it against the Philippines in skirmishes in recent months. This willingness is of great concern to the rest of the world.

While leaders like India’s Narendra Modi and China’s Xi Jinping may make diplomatic gestures to de-escalate tensions, experts warn that the underlying issues aren’t easily resolved. The India-China border disputes are deeply rooted, with historical tensions and territorial claims dating back decades. Even though public statements may project a veneer of progress, the reality might be more complex and contentious.

China’s actions have even led to increased partnerships between India and the United States, a relationship meant to counterbalance China’s growing assertiveness. China’s behavior has not only angered its immediate neighbors but has also prompted a closer alignment of interests among countries concerned about its unchecked expansionism.

We see more and more nations drifting into factions for and against China, and China is not letting up.

It is enough to make us nervous.