US orchestrating the provocations
Every time the Philippines stirs up trouble in the South China Sea, it is with the backing or at the instigation of the United States. Such was the case on Saturday when the Philippines sent a supply vessel and two coast guard vessels to intrude into the Chinese waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef in a bid to send building materials to the old World War II battleship, BRP Sierra Madre, it illegally grounded on the reef in May 1999.
Two days before, US, Japan and the Philippines held a consultation meeting in Tokyo, during which they reiterated their collective commitment to “maintaining peace and security in the ‘Indo-Pacific’, including in the South China Sea and East China Sea”.
The aforementioned “commitment” to peace and stability is just a camouflage for such provocative moves. As happened when tensions between Beijing and Tokyo intensified quickly after the US sought to exploit the frictions between Beijing and Tokyo over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea following the unveiling of its Pivot to Asia strategy in 2011, aimed at realizing “America’s Pacific Century”, tensions between the Philippines and China have also escalated rapidly, as Manila has been emboldened to provoke China after the US offered its support to it trying to stake a claim to Chinese territory in the South China Sea.
On Monday, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong spoke with his Philippine counterpart, Maria Theresa Lazaro, over the phone, lodging a solemn representation regarding the Philippines’ illegal trespassing on Saturday. Chen hit the nail on the head when he said that the fundamental reason for the continuing escalation of tensions is that Manila has repeatedly gone back on its word. He urged the Philippines to honor its commitments, stop its provocations, and refrain from any unilateral actions that may complicate the situation.
It has been a long-time consensus among regional countries that the maritime disputes should be shelved for the common development of the region, and they can be and should be resolved through direct negotiations between the disputing parties. Another tacit understanding integral to that consensus has been that no external parties should be allowed to take advantage of the disputes to drive a wedge between regional countries.
It is that consensus which has enabled the region to enjoy a peaceful and secure maritime environment. Manila and Tokyo should know the ugly roles they are playing as the US’ accomplices will only damage the regional development environment. In playing the role of the US’ hatchet men, they are isolating themselves from other regional countries, which have either given the cold shoulder to the pair’s invitation to join them or spoken out in opposition to them dragging the region into bloc confrontation.
They are well aware they lack the moral support, legitimacy and ability to continue playing their dangerous game without the US’ favor. That’s why they repeatedly demand Washington guarantee the US’ China policy will not change should there be a change of occupant in the White House after the US presidential election in November. Both the Japanese and Philippine leaders will be hoping to get firsthand assurances to that effect from both candidates when they visit the US for a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden next month.
Such assurances will no doubt further embolden them to continue their provocative actions. Manila’s recent gung-ho actions just expose its longing for the US’ assurances that it will not be left high and dry.