CHINA RECENTLY flexed its muscles yet again when it engaged the Philippines in a tense standoff over Scarborough Shoal, a territory being claimed by both countries. The shoal lies within 124 nautical miles off the coast of Luzon. By acting like a bully, China is hurting its reputation as an emerging power.
If China is to replace the United States as a global power, as analysts foresee, it must legitimize its future status by being willing to deal with critical situations with caution, rather than with threats.
As it grows in influence and relevance, so must it grow its sense of accountability. More so because China is disproportionately “superior” to the other countries in the region in terms of military and economic might, leaving much room for abuse.
The Philippines must always opt for a diplomatic solution, and should push for it with the the Asean speaking cooperatively. It must grab every opportunity to raise issues like these to a multilateral level by soliciting the support of its neighbors. As an individual country, the Philippines is close to powerless in the face of overwhelming Chinese might. However, as a member of a very crucial regional bloc, it can be very persuasive. This is because China sees the entire Asean as a vital trading partner. China knows that in order to create a sustainable and positive relationship with the Asean countries, it must learn to treat them more cordially. However, the Asean countries must show China that they know this as well.
China will always try to assert its interests. And if we Filipinos do not show the Chinese that we are capable of holding them accountable to the rest of the world, they would only grow addicted to its status of impunity. We must show China that if it wants respect from us, then it must learn to respect us as well.
—EDWARD DAYOG,
efd2k9@yahoo.com