Obama’s administration on Thursday squashed China to accept a sea code of conduct in an attempt to not really say who deserves to get the piece of meat but to come up with a regional unified stand on the dispute over the Panatag Shoal and complete a legally binding treaty on the West Philippine Sea.
And at least for now, it may be a breath of fresh air, or a sinking feeling too, but the fact that the US has made such a statement—and the world over expecting China’s good, puppy-like reply—anchored on the possibility of resolving, if not worsening, the quarter-long crisis over disputed territories in the region could be the dawn of both harmony and war.
The catch? China is no puppy in today’s economy and world map. Once upon a time, all imperial power belonged to the mighty America but that was once upon a time. Now, it’s all about China. Just take a look at the products lined up at a downtown department store for example. Most, if not all are made in China.
And look at China’s recent incident on the islands claimed by Japan, this on top of its recent and ongoing conflicts with the Philippines, Vietnam and India. Clearly, China’s attempt to bolster its territory is the first sign of imperial dominance.
With its annexation of neighboring territories, making historical ownership as an ever convenient excuse vs. internationally-recognized laws, China’s deeds exactly follow the blueprint of previous growing powers, just before a great war starts. Just like Nazi Germany before World War II, which like China also had a chip on their shoulder due to previous war defeat, as in China’s two hundred years of humiliation, China may very likely be the proximate cause of World War III.
Worst case for a country like the Philippines, with limited resources to wager in case of a third world war, all we could do is pray to all saints while our soldiers battle it out with Goliath’s forces. But sure with such a long list of saints to seek divine intercession from, it might take us some time to pray and get results. So to cut to the chase, we might consider tailgating with an old friend US.
But tailgating in itself is not an assurance of zero casualty or loss if the blackest of black happens. Because while the US is a long-time ally, never so far has it expressed an absolute declaration of support to our country should the state of affairs worsen. In fact, from the very words of Hillary Clinton herself, “The United States has no territorial claims there and we do not take sides in disputes about territorial or maritime boundaries.”
Although, setting aside all the pride we could chew, that seems by far to be the best road we can take, and if the support from the US will not be automatic, it should not take us that long to convince them through common history and incumbent treaties.
Or wait, maybe, we are just over-thinking, anxious and restless. Maybe, from the Chinese perspective, the idea of employing war does not even exist or at least is at the bottom of their list. Their mighty dragon ways of thinking cannot dismiss the idea of how, even if it meant they could afford it, costly it will be for them to send a billion soldiers to foreign seas and feed them, all for the sake of a hundred and half square kilometers of unconfirmed wealth?
Still, in truth, there is another road the Philippines could take. And it is to humbly give up our islands and waters. If that’s the price we need to pay for world peace, then fine, let this country pay for that price. That way, China may prove to the world it’s indeed a superpower but at the same time, it will also prove its blatant greed and selfishness, one that does not deserve admiration from most nations respecting liberty and equality.