Davao , PH, Nov 20, 2019, 08:09 /Comserve / -- An article about the territorial claims at the South China Sea
Keeping China in check is a tall order. It is safe to say that Beijing is cruising through the highway and across the countryside with its new found confidence and power-driven stride. This streak is not going anywhere for a long time.
While Xi Jinping and the Politburo have every right to propel China into the forefront of things, what is being unraveled at present will be a perspective quite troubling for the rest of the world. The ambition to dominate is definitely in the open but what is frightening will be the fact that this sleeping giant is just getting started.
It cannot be denied that Chinese presence is everywhere. They are investing extensively in the US and Europe. Their ventures are also gaining ground in the Middle East and Africa. However, establishing a foothold in global trade and commerce is merely a part of a bigger scheme.
Perhaps no other part of the world is more dangerous than the South China Sea. Although the threat level is far from the perilous state of the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula, what makes the island-filled southern waters particularly a wary sight is attributed to the unpredictability of the situation.
No one, not even China, can foresee what will actually happen if an outbreak of hostilities occurs. The truth is nobody really can depict a perspective of how will the claimants fare when the territorial disputes heat up.
Although Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam have been actively pushing their interests at the South China Sea, it cannot be denied that the Philippines remains the issue’s biggest draw. Judging from its victory at The Hague, Manila has definitely stepped on the gas against its bigger Chinese neighbor.
The Philippines has even sustained its theatrics in the international stage with the emergence of President Rodrigo Duterte’s friendly inclinations with Beiing which is a far cry from the previous administration’s approach. The only problem here is the absence of a concrete plan to protect the Philippine claims at the Spratlys.
Any form of reconciliation with Beijing may not improve Manila’s chances of laying sovereignty over those islands. In spite the efforts of the Philippine President to calm the country’s relations with the Mainland, China continues to be unmoved by the gesture. Although Xi has warmed up to Duterte’s extension of goodwill, what is happening at the South China Sea does not reflect such approach.
Manila’s turnaround policy towards Beijing is not making the anticipated or needed waves which many are actually expecting. While there are a lot of factors involved here, one thing is certain. Beijing will not be influenced or persuaded to just leave their interests and appease some nation.
Primarily, China knows that with or without the Philippines’s Commander-in-Chief initiative, its goal at the disputed territories will continue to remain on track. It is highly likely that the friendly gesture is only a necessity for Manila to keep its islands unperturbed.
Secondly, although the Chinese may have warmed up to the cordial relations with the Filipinos, the Politburo is still wary about the Philippine foreign policy in the future. Many may seem unaware but the Mainland is observing the political situation inside the country very closely. China is cautious that the opposition will regain power and destroy the current policy of President Duterte.
Thirdly, it is no secret that the Washington will always be around Philippine politics. No matter what happens, the presence of the Americans is undeniable. Even in today’s administration, numerous Filipino politicians continue to manifest colonial tendency which is a clear sign of encouraging America’s intervention in the nation’s internal concerns.
Fourthly, China sees itself as a daunting presence at the South China Sea and the rest of the world. The decision of Washington to impose tariffs on Chinese goods and services strongly suggests that the US is wary about the emergence of another superpower.
How the situation at the disputed territories is unfolding will be testament to Beijing’s consistent pursuit of its very own interests. The Xi regime is unfazed about the developments happening around it. Even the supposed military enhancements being made by countries across Southeast Asia have been regarded lightly by China.
The urgent naval upgrades being made by Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines as of late may not be the solution to the complicated dynamics at the South China Sea. The Chinese cannot be cowed into being drawn in an imminent conflict.
Beijing knows that any military preparations being made within its vicinity is prone to fail considering that the nations opposing its presence the Spratlys and the Paracels remain wanting and disunited. A US intervention will only add ammunition to China’s right to protect itself. Any resolution to the territorial disputes should be associated with something that directly threatens Beijing interests.
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