Being a highwayman of SCS is the least China would want to be, especially for the image of Belt and Road Initiative. If China must gain territorial profit from other country around SCS, why not to establish infrastructures for trading and local development? Leasing ports and aiding for railway projects is a current trend for promoting Chinese influence, and "teach people to learn fishing than just offering fishes" can also provide steady fortune to China too.ORIGINAL: TyeeBanzai
That is a good point. Does the CPC think the US would risk war themselves over the islands however? If the CPC wants to be seen as powerful, and believes the US would not be willing to stop a closure/taxation, they may be tempted to begin charging for passage through the SCS.
At this moment in time however, I agree that war is unlikely, and international image, combined with internal image as you stated, is what the CPC is focusing on, and a "anti-globalization"-esque action liking closing the SCS unless countries pay would be bad.
You may still call it a robbing because of the territorial disputes, but this is how business work to improve the national strength.