‘China should make Phl pay unaffordable price’

MANILA, Philippines - China wants the Philippines to pay an “unaffordable price” for continuing to challenge China’s national interests.

In an editorial yesterday, state-run China Daily said the Philippines is “a devoted hatchet man of foreign anti-China forces,” and that China has exercised restraint in dealing with conflicting territorial claims.

“Since the Philippines has singled itself out as a determined challenger of Chinese national interests and the devoted hatchet man of foreign anti-China forces, it needs to be convinced that it has made a choice that, if it persists, means paying an unaffordable price,” read the editorial.

The newspaper criticized the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan for supposedly escalating tensions and for “trying to portray China as a bully.”

“Reason is essential for a sensible resolution to any dispute,” read the editorial.

“Those in a dispute must be reasonable and act reasonably. However, that is something that Japan, the Philippines, and now Vietnam, refuse to be, hypocritically accusing China of their own faults.

“While friends should be embraced, it is time to adopt a different stance to those that bear us ill will.”

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said it is not surprising for Chinese naval vessels in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to have encountered the US Navy ship Blue Ridge last week.

“It is legal and legitimate for Chinese naval vessels to carry out routine patrols in relevant waters,” Hua said.

Hua said China has indisputable sovereignty over islands in the West Philippine Sea, including Panatag Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island.

“There is no need to be surprised at something that is perfectly normal,” Hua said.

The editorial came out after nine Chinese caught poaching off Palawan were charged in court.

The editorial makes it appear that China was the aggrieved party in two incidents with Vietnam.

Tensions between China and Vietnam also rose last week after Chinese vessels reportedly rammed and fired water cannons at Vietnamese ships in disputed waters.

Vietnam said the incident damaged many of its ships and left at least six Vietnamese sailors injured.

The newspaper said Vietnamese ships “harassed” Chinese a deep-sea oil rig near Xisha Islands.

It also accused Philippine authorities of prosecuting the Chinese fishermen “for unverifiable crimes.”

“The timing of such incidents is notable, coming as they have after US President Barack Obama’s visit to key Asia-Pacific allies and just before the 24th summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),” it said.

The newspaper said China remains committed to talks with countries with conflicting territorial claims.

“In any consultations regarding territorial disputes, Beijing must make sure that every claimant knows blackmail and extortion will not work, and that it will not compromise its territorial integrity,” read the editorial.

Regional tensions have risen sharply since China moved a deep-water drilling rig into waters disputed with Vietnam for the first time.

A foreign ministry official said Friday Vietnamese ships had rammed Chinese vessels 171 times since May 3.

Vietnam said Chinese ships repeatedly rammed its patrol vessels near the Paracel Islands, which China calls Xisha.

During his visit to Manila, Obama said the Philippines would not stand alone when confronting external attacks.

The US is firm in its commitment to help its ally under a 63-year-old mutual defense agreement, he added.

Obama said: “Our commitment to defend the Philippines is ironclad and the United States will keep that commitment, because allies never stand alone.”

The Philippines said the US is obliged to defend it in case its troops or territory are attacked, including those in the West Philippine Sea. With Pia Lee-Brago, AFP