A tough article in the official state-owned Global Times on December 29, 2016, Li Kaisheng, Associate Research Fellow of the  Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said "It is possible that Washington will continue instigating antagonism by the agency of countries that have conflicts with China".He suggested that "the US is most likely to provoke China by intensifying warship cruises and surveillance activities in the SCS, because the Pentagon is able to make these moves without support from its allies". He added that "the US might turn the SCS into a platform for China-bashing and muscle-flexing... and challenge China over the Taiwan question", but  "China's recent moves in and around the waters, such as the aircraft carrier training sessions, are indicative of Beijing's determination to guard its doorstep, remind the US that the SCS is not its playground, and warn the Pentagon that China will take countermeasures if necessary". He added that "China might take more assertive actions against US reconnaissance and its breach into Chinese waters by deploying more mobile military capabilities in the SCS and equipping relevant islands with defensive weapons. If the US goes too far, China will consider setting up offensive weaponry on these islands". He assessed that "the fact that China prioritizes territorial issues as part of its "core interests"... if there is not an effective mechanism of risk control between both sides, a dangerous regional conflict is breeding". He stressed it is essential "to establish a communication channel to find a common ground on global issues such as counterterrorism and the North Korean nuclear crisis" and for both countries to adhere to the principle of cooperation is still the mainstream of the Sino-US relationship".