Tensions between Manila and Beijing remain high after the Philippines coast guard cut China’s barriers in disputed waters last month.
Manila resupplies its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands, every month to reinforce its economic rights to waters that are both rich in fish and mineral resources.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, which is also claimed in part by the Philippines.
Constantly letting China grab whatever territory they want is 100% guaranteed to have no good end. A show of force is not. China has the option to back down, obey international law, and prevent war.
I didn’t say anything about “Constantly letting them grab whatever territory they want.” I said that we already directly interdict occasionally but it’s very confrontational and doing it too often starts a game of tit-for-tat that will become very difficult to stop.
It’s better to support the Philippines and others with material and technology and let THEM do it…which is primarily how the United States is handling the problem. We don’t need to rush in and flop our enormous Naval Cock on the table every time the Chinese Coast Guard does something stupid.
Empower the locals to handle the small stuff. It slows or prevents escalation and builds trust, trust we may really need if things go pear shaped.