‘No to war, period. Let’s give peace a chance!’
FOR over a decade and a half, the People’s Republic of China has been asserting domination over a maritime region deemed crucial to international trade. The area is considered globally as a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.
Admittedly, China has grown beyond one could ever imagine, surpassing the economy of other superpowers like Russia and the United States.
However, its bloated population, which now stands at 1.42 billion, requires more. Hence, the need for an “expansion” from where it may get what is needed to feed its people – and provide power to its growing industries.
China is not looking far though and they’ve every reason not to. The West Philippine Sea can provide everything they need – revenue, food and energy.
Why revenue? Lest we forget, more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. As for the food, the maritime region is known for its abundant aquaculture.
But beyond food and revenue, China is actually after the rich oil deposits in the West Philippine Sea. However, China seemed to want more as it encroached on the 200-nautical mile Philippine exclusive economic zone, using its military strength.
Unmindful of the 73-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States of America, China stood by its claim over the entire West Philippine Sea despite the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration which effectively junked China’s claim embarking on a nine-dash line map.
The motive is clear. China badly needs everything that could be found in the disputed maritime region, not just to feed its population or energize industries but for world domination.
For one, the Mutual Defense Treaty, if invoked, would translate to a war where nobody wins. And yes, China seemed willing to go to war.
Many are under the impression that China is after Taiwan. The truth, however, is that Taiwan is no more than a decoy. There’s not much they can get from a small island. Why would they be interested in a small island when they could construct a vast land area in the maritime region named after its country?
More than land area, they stand to reap everything under the surface of the entire South China Sea and benefit much from the Philippine government’s oil exploration — including that of an area well within the West Philippine Sea where Prime Energy has been investing a huge amount of its financial resources.
To prove my point, China has repeatedly shooed, shoved, water-cannoned and rammed Philippine vessels sailing in the maritime region well within our exclusive economic zone.
Given its aggression and wanton disregard of international laws, China has been at the receiving end of global condemnation over its behavior and bullying.
Speaking of Prime Energy, I stumbled upon an article in Forbes Magazine that delved into the Philippine energy industry.
According to Forbes, Prime Energy Resources is pouring as much as $600 million to develop new deepwater wells in the Malampaya gas fields in the West Philippine Sea, with the company of Filipino billionaire Enrique Razon investing an initial $187 million to start drilling activities in 2025 to determine whether there are sufficient gas reserves in the area.
Prime Energy knew the risks, including the increased tension in WPS between the Philippines and China. The godfather of the late Christine Herrera and her hubby, Dong is taking that risk, thereby aligning its investment to the energy security program of the Philippine government.
As for the Department of Energy, renowned geologist Alessandro Sales, in his capacity as undersecretary supervising the Energy Resource and Management Bureau, the safety of the ground workers is of paramount concern.
He, however, clarified that the Philippine government is not keen on the idea of abandoning its endeavor – to keep the Philippines away from an energy crisis via a hybrid approach embarking on the mixed-use of renewable energy and natural gas.
In an article posted on the website of the American Family News (afn.net), Asian policy analyst Gordon Chang, who wrote the book entitled “China is Going to War,” strongly believed that “China’s Xi Jinping wants a quick win, a win without casualties, and he thinks he can get it from the Philippines.”
For one, I have already lost count of how many diplomatic protests have been filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) over “life-threatening aggressions” at the West Philippine Sea.
However, not even a stern warning from the United States seemed enough to stop Xi Jinping from asserting domination over the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea which is within our exclusive economic zone.
From how it looks, China doesn’t believe that the United States is prepared to use force even with its treaty with the Philippines. This is an extremely volatile situation.
Another expert on international conflict, retired US Navy commander Kirk Lippold, urged the Philippines to be cautious.
“Forget Taiwan, the Philippines is where the conflict’s going to start. Looks like if they push into the Philippines, and they sink one of their vessels or damage them or they force the Philippines to withdraw, and the United States does nothing to back our ally all bets are off on Taiwan. This is a test case. The Philippines is a test case for Taiwan.”
Commander Lippold was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen.
As I have said, a backdoor diplomatic channel is still the best option with China. However, the posturing of forces with allies due to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea shows a position of strength but it increases the tension.
Did any of the incumbent Philippine government officials know that one of Chairman Mao Zedong’s children had lived (or is still living?) near the heart of Manila, I was told by an old Chinoy (Chinese Filipino) friend a few years back. Yes, Chairman Mao founded the People’s Republic of China.
No to war, period. Let’s give peace a chance!
