As the US continues to ramp up its criticisms of China’s activity in the South China Sea, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is cozying up ever closer to Beijing.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Singapore, Duterte criticized the US for provoking China, while shrugging his shoulders at China’s expanding presence on islands also claimed by the Philippines.
“China is already in possession (of the South China Sea). It’s now in their hands,” he was quoted by the Straits Times as saying.
“So why do you have to create frictions… that will prompt a response from China?” he said. “China is there… That’s a reality, and America and everybody should realize that they are there.”
Duterte specifically called for the US to let China and ASEAN countries decide how to resolve territorial disputes while criticizing US-led freedom of navigation exercises.
“Everything’s been excellent between China and the rest of Asean, except for the fact that there’s friction between Western nations and China,” he said.
Duterte’s comments were a rebuke of US Vice-President Mike Pence’s speech at the summit, during which he said that “empire and aggression have no place in the Indo-Pacific,” in a veiled reference to China.
“We will defend freedom of the seas and skies. This is especially important in the South China Sea,” Pence said, according to his prepared remarks released by the White House.
“Let me be clear: China’s militarization and territorial expansion in the South China Sea is illegal and dangerous. It threatens the sovereignty of many nations and endangers the prosperity of the world,” he said.
Since taking office, Duterte has taken measures to scale down military cooperation between the US and the Philippines, which are still bound by a treaty alliance. Meanwhile, he has worked to strengthen ties with Beijing, and his administration is currently in talks with Beijing on a joint oil exploration deal.
military might competition between superpowers for SCC claims is a futile approach. Fair and mutual cooperation among all stakeholdets is the wisest thing to do.
military might competition between superpowers for SCC claims is a futile approach. Fair and mutual cooperation among all stakeholdets is the wisest thing to do.
SCS belongs to the Asean countries involved. China is basically a financier for future develoments in the region; however, majority ownership of equity and profits must belong to Philippines, for its legal boundary rights. I believe, Pres. Duterte was amenable to that arrangement, to expedite explorations and developments in the region for mutual benefits.
SCS belongs to the Asean countries involved. China is basically a financier for future develoments in the region; however, majority ownership of equity and profits must belong to Philippines, for its legal boundary rights. I believe, Pres. Duterte was amenable to that arrangement, to expedite explorations and developments in the region for mutual benefits.
If the international community let China have a territorial sea about a thousand mile wide, China will not be selfish and will support any other country to own a similar territorial sea as wide as a few thousand miles. For instance, if Japan claims she owns the entire Sea of Japan, China will be the first to support Japan’s claim. The international law UNCLOS should not limit the width of territorial sea to be only 12 nautical miles. Countries should be allowed to own any widths of the sea.
If the international community let China have a territorial sea about a thousand mile wide, China will not be selfish and will support any other country to own a similar territorial sea as wide as a few thousand miles. For instance, if Japan claims she owns the entire Sea of Japan, China will be the first to support Japan’s claim. The international law UNCLOS should not limit the width of territorial sea to be only 12 nautical miles. Countries should be allowed to own any widths of the sea.
South China Sea militarization would benefit everybody in case of unforeseen disasters in the region.
South China Sea militarization would benefit everybody in case of unforeseen disasters in the region.
U don’t get why China is taking control of the SCS. It’s not to prevent others from crossing it but to prevent others from blockade China from using it for trade and oil imports. This was done to Japan in WW2 except that China can sustain itself for yrs and even start digging up its own oil again. BRI is a similar idea to facilitate and protect trade. Anyone trying to stop it will cost them financially and militarily while China will be always in a win win situation even if going to war:
1) China at its weakest couldn’t be defeated, in fact, pushed back the world most modern army in Koreas.
2)The previous dynasty near its end, still the largest economy in the world around 1820s for hundred of yrs, was only failing to repel the brit drug pushers after opium drain all its silvers by 1840-60s, [note to Chinese descendents to take back: they’re still in uk as Sterlings], after two wars. China is the world’s largest economy by most measures of actual economic activities, eg vs virtual trading, and trading of trades, etc recursively. And China is drug free today with USA being self fed drugs from all over the world. Unless Americans has the will to fight for 20+ yrs the world’s largest army, and many people harboring anger and revenge from centuries of being harassed, do start the hot war. Not only China will prevail but will most likely been taken over by the most hawkish faction of Chinese society and roll right ahead to Japan for sweet vengeance so please keep pricking China, more fonos, Taiwan Indepdence, and whatever BS imagined after your opioid dose.
U don’t get why China is taking control of the SCS. It’s not to prevent others from crossing it but to prevent others from blockade China from using it for trade and oil imports. This was done to Japan in WW2 except that China can sustain itself for yrs and even start digging up its own oil again. BRI is a similar idea to facilitate and protect trade. Anyone trying to stop it will cost them financially and militarily while China will be always in a win win situation even if going to war:
1) China at its weakest couldn’t be defeated, in fact, pushed back the world most modern army in Koreas.
2)The previous dynasty near its end, still the largest economy in the world around 1820s for hundred of yrs, was only failing to repel the brit drug pushers after opium drain all its silvers by 1840-60s, [note to Chinese descendents to take back: they’re still in uk as Sterlings], after two wars. China is the world’s largest economy by most measures of actual economic activities, eg vs virtual trading, and trading of trades, etc recursively. And China is drug free today with USA being self fed drugs from all over the world. Unless Americans has the will to fight for 20+ yrs the world’s largest army, and many people harboring anger and revenge from centuries of being harassed, do start the hot war. Not only China will prevail but will most likely been taken over by the most hawkish faction of Chinese society and roll right ahead to Japan for sweet vengeance so please keep pricking China, more fonos, Taiwan Indepdence, and whatever BS imagined after your opioid dose.
Well, after all, it isn’t called the South CHINA Sea for nothing. It has been such since before the US was even a country, maybe even before Columbus set out on his voyage and "discovered" America.
Well, after all, it isn’t called the South CHINA Sea for nothing. It has been such since before the US was even a country, maybe even before Columbus set out on his voyage and "discovered" America.
At least, he is not stupid enough to die for America’s World Domination plan.
At least, he is not stupid enough to die for America’s World Domination plan.
Duterte is fvcking hero for all of Asians. He should fvcking be in China running the CCP and he’ll be cheer and love by all. Hehhehehe…
Duterte is fvcking hero for all of Asians. He should fvcking be in China running the CCP and he’ll be cheer and love by all. Hehhehehe…
This perception is already in the minds of all the leaders in South East Asia. The ideal that the US will somehow dislodge the Chinese from those islands is a fantacy drum up by Washington anti-China faction. Top military leaders don’t fancy a fight with China for no purpose and with no US interest at stake. The leaders in SEA is not willing to fight with the US against China, even Japan.
This perception is already in the minds of all the leaders in South East Asia. The ideal that the US will somehow dislodge the Chinese from those islands is a fantacy drum up by Washington anti-China faction. Top military leaders don’t fancy a fight with China for no purpose and with no US interest at stake. The leaders in SEA is not willing to fight with the US against China, even Japan.
Duterte should focus more on the inflation and currency which are having an impact on his country. Duterte is probably the only politician who seems as stupid as Trump
Duterte should focus more on the inflation and currency which are having an impact on his country. Duterte is probably the only politician who seems as stupid as Trump