Chinese incursions: No ‘golden era’

Last week, China took offense at a warning by US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) chief Bill Nelson that China might “take over the moon’’ as part of the Asian superpower’s military expansion.

According to a Reuters report, Nelson told the German newspaper Bild in an interview: “We must be very concerned that China is landing on the moon and saying: ‘It’s ours now and you stay out.’” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reportedly criticized the Nasa administrator’s statement as an “irresponsible smear’’ against China’s space program.

Offensive or not, Nelson’s statement indicates international exasperation over China’s aggressive moves on Earth, specifically in the contentious South China Sea. The strategic region, believed to have huge oil and natural reserves as well as rich sources of fish that ensure food security for Southeast Asia, is a potential flashpoint with several countries having overlapping claims over it. Peace and stability in the South China Sea is a global concern as one-third of the world’s maritime shipping passes through it.

Nelson’s warning resonates with the claimant countries that for decades have had to fend off and suffer China’s incursions on their territorial waters.

The Philippines had borne the brunt of aggressive intrusions by Chinese militia and navy ships in the West Philippine Sea, and its seizure of, and construction of military installations on, islands and features clearly within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as embodied in a landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued six years ago today.

The Duterte administration, which shelved the 2016 arbitral ruling to get Beijing on its side, had not made a dent in these incursions. As recent as last month, the Inquirer reported that a ship of the China Coast Guard confronted Philippine vessels bringing supplies for Sierra Madre, the rusting ship serving as the Philippine outpost on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese navy warned over the radio that “If you insist on making trouble [in] your own way, you will take responsibility for all these consequences arising therefore.’’

Such intransigence comes to mind as Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi came to Manila last week and held separate talks with new President Marcos Jr. and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

While the full details of the issues taken up during the high-level meetings were not disclosed, Wang was quoted as saying he expected “a new golden era’’ in relations between the two countries with the election of Mr. Marcos.

Both sides released general statements about enhancing the different aspects of diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries, except for the elephant in the room—China’s unfriendly actions in the West Philippine Sea.

This is a disappointing omission as Mr. Marcos raised the nation’s hopes upon his election in May that he would assert a “firm voice’’ to China and fight for Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

Mr. Marcos then said he would uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling, invalidating China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea, and that his government won’t give up even “a single square millimeter of our maritime coastal rights.” Upon his inauguration, Mr. Marcos hailed China as the country’s “strongest partner’’ in its fight against COVID-19.

Mr. Marcos’ meetings with Wang, and earlier with China’s Vice President Wang Qishan who attended his inauguration, would have provided him the opportunity to test his “firm voice’’ and signaled to Beijing where he stood with regard to China’s repeated trampling over Philippine sovereignty.

Instead, it looks like the talks merely dwelled on pleasantries and friendly gestures as accorded visiting dignitaries. Hopefully, when new Chinese incursions and aggression happen now that he’s president, Mr. Marcos will remember his brave words and not waste his immense political capital by letting Beijing off.

Mr. Marcos has accepted the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to make a state visit to Beijing, at a date that is yet to be set. This visit will put Mr. Marcos’ vow to the test, and determine how firm he can assert the Philippine sovereignty. Would he get a better outcome than Duterte’s visit where the then-president recalled how Xi practically threatened war if the Philippines insisted on making moves in the West Philippine Sea?

For as long as China acts as a bully toward its smaller, weaker “friend,’’ the “new golden era’’ that Wang envisions will be another myth. For as long as China conducts its expansionist agenda without regard for international rules and sovereignty of other nations, it will have to contend with global distrust and brickbats such as comments about it possibly staking ownership over the moon, the planets, and the stars.