Rhetoric

The rhetoric seems to be heating up between the US and China. Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie stated that the US military has the capability to "take down" islands in the Pacific, as it has done so in the past. He was probably referring to the island hopping that the US Marines did back in World War II. As he stressed not to put anything into it, he was obviously referring to the artificial islands that China has recently militarized by deploying a variety of weapons. On the other hand, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that that the purpose of putting weapons on such islands was to intimidate and coerce China's neighbors. Mattis also adds that "there could be much larger consequences" if China continues militarization of the islands. He also called China out for not keeping its promise in 2015 of not militarizing the islands. Not the first time China has not kept its word. It sure won't be the last.

An immediate reaction came from a Chinese general. Lieutenant General He Lei said that "irresponsible comments" on China's military actions in the South China Sea are not acceptable. According to Lei, what China does on the islands is for its defense, because they are Chinese territory. That's pretty obvious, what with anti-ship and anti-aircraft heavy weapons already in place. The US will continue freedom of navigation and overflights in the region, if only to assure that it is indeed free for everyone to use. For the first time, two US warships sailed close to the Paracels, as China landed a nuclear capable bomber in the islands.

While the rhetoric goes on between China and the US, the latter cannot guarantee that in the event of a conflict between the country and China because of disputed islands or any island that the country occupies, they will automatically help us. The Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines states that if any of the two countries are attacked, or more accurately invaded, the other would help. The treaty may not have covered the issues surrounding the disputed islands. Since the islands are under dispute, America helping the country should conflict arise would mean they have taken a side, which they do not want to do. According to Mattis, the Philippines and America are talking about this very well, and will decide on what's best to do. Perhaps this is what President Duterte means when he says that America will not help in case of a war between China and the country. It would be nice if there was a separate agreement on the issues today. But with Duterte's attitude towards the US and Americans, I doubt that very much, even as the majority of Filipinos still trust the US much more than they do China. I do hope America continues its military presence in the region, if only to balance things out. We may have laid down our "red lines," but having the US around may help to enforce them.

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