Beijing is facing more pressure from the United States and Nato over its activities in the disputed South China Sea, but analysts say they do not see an increased risk of conflict breaking out. In remarks on the French naval patrol on Monday, defence minister Parly said France had ­exclusive economic zones in the ­Indo-Pacific region and intended to protect its sovereignty and ­interests there. According to Dr. Collin Koh, a Research Fellow at RSIS, the US Navy was sending a message that it could operate “wherever they wish and where international law allows, notwithstanding the threat from Beijing”. He said France, meanwhile, wanted to “to show the flag for Paris’ Indo-Pacific interests”. “It considers itself an autonomous player in the region, often positing itself as the ‘alternative partner’ of choice for regional countries that don’t wish to align too closely with either China or the US,” Koh said.