I was irked to write about the recent aggressive stance of China at the Scarborough shoals of the Philippine territorial zone where Chinese fishermen were caught fishing, I mean, poaching or smuggling, whatever you call it.
I believe that China is now taking a test of might on South China Sea (SCS) more particularly when they know that the area is believed to have large deposit of oil and gas reserves underneath its seabed. Besides, the area also holds the record that one-third of the world’s shipping trades are traversing through its waters. By trying to announce its aggressive presence, China is certainly sending a clear message to its neighbors that it would not yield to its claims that this part of the world is part of their dominion, even if the conflict that recently occur happens within the backyard of the Philippine territorial boundary.
The recent impasse between China (The Mighty Bear) and the Philippines (The Mighty Mouse) is only one among the many conflicts that it has been involved in years passed against a sovereign country like the Philippines. Since SCS could be the flash point for future world conflicts, it would be proper for the Philippines to stand up with distinctiveness about its claims, but it should not only rely to the United States of America (The Mighty Uncle Sam) about resources on defense. The Philippine Congress has to initiate also an aggressive stance about the claims by bringing the matter to the international court of law and justice and should not allow China just play giant without restraint in the backyard of Philippine sovereignty.
But it seems that the diplomatic course of settling conflict, more particularly, in the United Nations, where China is one of the permanent member of the UN Security Council, would no longer be a feasible forum, nor would it be a refuge for those who really need its swift action to settle the conflict. We can take a credible example in Syria; with China and Russia, both stood up opposite to the other members of the UNSC for immediate military action as response to the growing incident of a government killing its own people, not until recently when thousands have already been gone to swift death perpetrated by its own government. Indeed, the democratic process which is one of the paramount pillars of the United Nations is now taking a longer process of responsiveness. Of course, doubts as the probable actions of the US and UK has always been one of the stinking reasons for China and Russia to delay action. Therefor, each of the members of the UNSC are drawing reasons to doubt every intentions laid down during talks and negotiations---a play of domino, I should say.
Now, China, with all its dollar reserves and sundry, earned through edging up against US products and others, would probably wants to show the world that it’s their time now. It has to emerge as one mighty power that should not be taken lightly neither by the US or the UK, or even France, or any mighty country for that matter.
I could foresee a different China, which before a “sleeping giant” now awake to take the specter of dominance against all odds.
The conflict now slowly revealing in the course of agitating the Philippines to take a more aggressive stance of its claims at Scarborough Shoals can be the key to a worst or bitter scenario of the future of China-Philippines relation; and I would admit, the old school for spies and daggers, is beginning to resurface as the Mighty Bear wants to play with Might Mouse. Thus, careful consideration must be taken into account, but not discounting the fact that China is really getting hot of world dominance, by force or trades.
Watch out! Lots of surprise unravels China’s real intent. Of course, North Korea will be there to start the fire. I just hope I’m wrong as I observe the patterns that these countries are playing with their own domino games.
