| Global Times | 2013-5-20 22:13:01 By Li Kaisheng |
Tensions over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coast guard are still going on. Looking through the history of the Philippines confronting China on maritime disputes, we find that the Phillipines has always held an unscrupulous and reckless attitude.
For example, the naval face-off at Huangyan Island last year was triggered by Philippine navy which had attempted to capture Chinese fishermen.
Besides, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III forced the ASEAN Summit to discuss the disputed issue of the South China Sea in 2012 and even appealed for arbitration from a UN tribunal.
What makes the Philippines, a country weaker than China, so provocative?
Four reasons could account for the Philippines' arrogant attitude and aggressive moves.
The current political dynamics across the Taiwan Straits provide a crack for the Philippines to wedge itself into the issue of the South China Sea.
The separate situation makes both sides less cooperative in safeguarding their common interests in the South China Sea, handing the advantage over to Philippines.
Besides, the US always turns a blind eye and upholds an indulgent attitude toward the Philippines' aggression. Since the Obama administration announced its "Pivot to Asia" policy, containing China has become one of its most important strategic considerations. There is no doubt that the best fulcrum for this is the incessant territorial disputes between China and its neighbors. Great trees are good for shade. These countries, whose nearsightedness constrains themselves to short-term petty interests, are happy to be used by the US.
This kind of "win-win partnership" makes the US and the Philippines hit it off. This is also why the disputes in the South China Sea have been increasing since US President Barack Obama took office. Moreover, the weak has the advantage to play the sympathy card.
The Philippines is in a disadvantageous position in the rivalry with China in terms of national strength, but has an advantage in the arena of world opinion and diplomacy.
This is because the Philippines is able to draw over to its side some countries that have territorial disputes with China or concerns over China's rise. Once there is a conflict, no matter who started it in the first place, China can be instantly labeled as a "tough," "arbitrary," and "aggressive" country.
Finally, the lack of responding strategies puts China in a disadvantaged position facing the Philippines' provocations.
Manila is good at dealing with China over the issue of the South China Sea by using various strategies.
For example, the Philippines knows how to acquire sympathy from world public opinions through local conflicts with China, while at the same time checking and balancing China's influence over this region by depending on the Western powers through multilateral diplomacy and international law.
In contrast, unfamiliarity with international rules, especially laws, pushes China in an embarrassing dilemma, which usually makes China's diplomatic responses very passive.
The Philippines and its supporters could draw lessons from the latest crisis. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan should reflect on the lack of cross-Straits cooperation.
If the incident could not be handled well, it may escalate into an even more serious diplomatic conflict, which will undermine years of peace and prosperity in the region.
The author is an associate research fellow at the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
