Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi seems to have made some progress with his counterpart John Kerry over sanctions against North Korea during his three-day visit to the US, which started on Tuesday. However, both sides have not found more common ground about the South China Sea issues. Wang emphasized that China should not take the sole responsibility for non-militarization of the South China Sea.

Wang's visit came at the same time as Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told a Senate committee that China's construction and military facilities are changing the operational landscape of US forces. These activities also make headlines incessantly in US media. These voices could be the prelude for a new round of military provocations by the US in the South China Sea.

While meeting Wang, Kerry said the steps by China, Vietnam and others have unfortunately created an "escalatory circle" in the South China Sea. However, as a non-claimant, if the US takes an aggressive posture in the region, it will create a more risky and unfortunate escalatory circle with China.

Negotiations are knotty, but China, Vietnam and other claimants have developed a new tacit understanding about each other's claim. If the US stopped interfering, peace and stability instead of spiraling tensions could have gained momentum. If the claimants can have a real say in addressing the South China Sea disputes, this region will not see choppy waves in the near future.

The most significant game changer is the US and its direct intervention. US muscle-flexing in the region has dramatically uplifted the risk level to new heights in the South China Sea. Unintended conflicts could trigger full-scale confrontations. The US has projected decisive leverage to cause tensions, and the region is turning into a powder keg.

The increasing presence of US military power at China's doorstep has greatly unnerved China, which must prepare countermeasures against more provocations. The deployment of missiles and radar on some islands has been overwhelmingly applauded by China's public discourse. It could be anticipated that the public will show unanimous support to the Chinese army if it has to brace for US impacts directly.

China won't tolerate the US for sending warships like they are going on a pleasure cruise. More warnings and expulsion orders will be issued and conducted by the Chinese military.

China is able to walk the talk and turn determination into actions, and China will convey the message to the US side clearly through all channels. More US pressures will lead to stronger Chinese countermeasures.

US military forces must follow the principle of innocent passage in the South China Sea. It should be realistic about the matter, or its aggression will eventually backfire and hurt itself.