Chinese oil drilling on territory
claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan and a number
of other countries has
resulted in nationwide protests in Vietnam, some of
them violent. Are these the result of U.S. encouragement?
'Double Dealer' John Kerry Misleads Vietnam (Global Times, China)
Is Washington giving Vietnam and the Philippines false hope that
the U.S. will come to their defense in the event of a conflict with China? This
editorial from China's state-run Global
Times warns Hanoi and Manila that they are being used as pawns in
Washington's game of brinksmanship with China, and that they are doomed to be disappointed.
Flames pour from a Chinese-owned factory in Vietnam, May 14. Anti-China protesters set more than a dozen factories so far, in response to Chinese oil drilling on disputed territory in the Soth China Sea.
U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry blamed China for being "provocative"
and "aggressive" in the Xisha Islands
[known as the Paracel Islands by Vietnam and The Philippines]. In the
meantime, he also said again that Washington wouldn't choose sides on
sovereignty issues. This Vietnam War veteran is now a double-dealer.
Hanoi
and Manila must have been intensely exhilarated when the word
"provocative" came out of Kerry's mouth. Vietnam these days is
carrying on like it has been injected with adrenaline. It has been reported
that Vietnamese and Chinese ships fired water cannons at one another, and that
the operations of Chinese companies in Vietnam have been harassed. Vietnam is
attempting to make the dispute messier in order to see more pressure imposed on
China.
The
smug thinking in Hanoi and Manila is only a reflection of their narrow vision. A
few short-lived remarks by Kerry will hardly make a difference in the U.S.-China
competition. Washington's biases in the South China Sea are becoming increasingly
obvious as China grows stronger, so Kerry's attitude comes as no surprise.
Words
are insufficient to convince the United States to treat China on an equal
footing and respect its rise. For Washington and Beijing to manage their
bilateral relations in the 21st century, greater foresight is needed.
China's
national strength has grown in recent years, yet the United States still has
many tools to counter China's rise. It is a strategic game that will involve more
challenges and opportunities in the future, and both sides expect the game to
have a peaceful ending.
In
their dispute over the Xisha Islands, China and
Vietnam are not as close to war as it seems. China has absolute authority and
control over the area, and no matter how much trouble Hanoi provokes, China
will never relinquish that dominance.
The
Philippines, too, has burned its fingers with the trouble it has been making
over recent years in the South China Sea, and in any event, Washington has
failed its promise Manila solid support in this case.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
Washington's
capabilities and investments in the South China Sea will fail to meet the ambitions
of Hanoi and Manila to grab more territory from China. To maximize its
interests, Uncle Sam uses its "Asia pivot" strategy to seduce Hanoi
and Manila as its pawns.
This
time it is Vietnam's turn to be disillusioned. It shouldn't cherish the wishful
thinking that China will make compromises for the bigger picture.
The
South China Sea is a chessboard where China and the United States are the real
players. China must use boldness and diplomatic wisdom to confront any potential
challenges.
Provocations
from the Philippines and Vietnam don't merit China flying into a rage. The
feelings of the Chinese nation should be capable of bearing minor disturbances
like these.
China
has every means for halting provocations from Hanoi and Manila. Along with the rise
in maritime frictions, Chinese society will experience a surge in patriotism. However,
it should be a sentiment based on rationality.
