Philippines walking a very fine line

Philippines walking a very fine line

Global Times | November 17, 2011 01:54

By Global Times





The Philippines has been making waves in the South China Sea of late. It has settled to refer to the disputed waters as the "West Philippine Sea," sent officials to claim sovereignty on a disputed island and called on ASEAN countries to form a united front against China. The cabinet members of the Philippines have boldly lashed out against China, publicizing that the US-Philippine military cooperation is a strong warning signal.



These Philippine provocations bring negative political influences to the region, although some of them are only pet "performance projects" of the Philippine government. China must take fitting measures to pay the Philippines back. This is necessary to prevent another country taking a leaf out of the Philippines' book against China.



Currently, a similar strategy is prevailing among other East Asian countries, that is, benefiting from economic cooperation with China as much as possible while containing China's influences by either joining with the US or forcing China to make concessions on disputed issues. The Philippines is carrying out such a strategy.



China' punishment on the Philippines should be strong enough to offset negative influences brought by the Philippine insolence and discourage the dream of some nations to join with the US to contain China.



The pressure of domestic opinion is no excuse to forgive the Philippines' irresponsible behavior. The Philippines' unfavorable attitude toward China will not change quickly, but as long as punishing the Philippines does not affect the steady relations between China and other neighboring countries, the Philippines has fewer cards to play than China in the long run.



China's punishment on the Philippines should not go overboard, but should let the Philippines pay the real price. The best way is to ignore the Philippines when China is intensifying cooperation with other Southeast Asian countries.



Economic means are the first choice. China could postpone the implementation of investment agreements. Chinese people could reject traveling to the Philippines and China should decrease imports from the Philippines. China is the third largest trading partner of the Philippines and this would be a grievous blow indeed. As a country whose GDP per capita is only about $2,000, the Philippines expects much from China to stimulus its economic growth. Any slowdown in Sino-Philippine cooperation will put long-term pressure on the country.



Meanwhile, China should enhance cooperation with countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, allowing them to benefit more from the Philippine vacuum.



China has no intention to have a military clash toward the Philippines. But it should prepare to strike back, if the Philippines makes the first armed move. China's punishment against the Philippines should also be convincing. Shocking neighboring countries might be inevitable, but China needs to be both careful and decisive.





Posted in: Editorial