Keep threats out of the South China Sea
The Philippines has joined in the recent bickering over the South China Sea.
Voltaire Gazmin, the Filipino Defense Secretary, openly suggested Tuesday that a US military presence in the region could help protect the rights of smaller countries. China is clearly the target he was warning.
Trying to balance China and increase their bargaining chips in territorial claims are issues shared by several countries in the region. Last month, Vietnam's foreign affairs spokesman stated that the Vietnamese navy would "use every methods" to protect the country's interest.
However, confrontation might not be a smart choice at a time when economic integrity and cooperation are crucial to the region's competitiveness.
For each country involved, there is a public opinion that supports an aggressive approach to territorial disputes. For example, China's Internet is abuzz with hawkish stances against Vietnam, attempting to pressure Chinese diplomacy. If similar words were uttered by Chinese diplomats, the region would have become a simmering pot. Is this what the countries want to see?
The territorial dispute in the South China Sea is too complicated. It is self-denying for any country to think their claim can be fully realized. Responsible governments should not mislead their citizens into believing this. Without compromise, the dispute has no hope of being resolved.
The realistic way, at the moment when chances of full resolution are slim, is for countries involved, including China, to live with the conflict. Clashes might be inevitable. For instance, several countries have built facilities on the islands they have grabbed, oil exploration has taken place in disputed waters, and fishing vessels have sailed into waters under the control of another country. These clashes must not turn into a military confrontation.
The Vietnam foreign ministry later removed its hardline approach regarding the Vietnamese navy from its website. The Filipino defense secretary may consider doing the same.
The Chinese public hopes its government can walk a fine line between promoting peace over South China Sea and safeguarding its territorial claims. We hope other countries will take the same approach, not letting radical claims overshadow diplomacy.
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