By Reni M Valenzuela
There is an impending world war.
Can we imagine if all the nations of the world have the same mindset and attitude as China and Russia have, vis-a-vis the West Philippine Sea and Ukraine crisis, what sort of “peaceful” and “progressive” world will we have?
China’s ambassador to the country was short of demanding (or threatening) our president to flat out support the One China policy. He said in a recent interview, “The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan Independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.” Sniffy, supercilious words.
Do we, Filipinos, realize that supporting the One China policy is like supporting China’s grab of the West Philippine Sea? In as much as the present Chinese officials claim that Taiwan is a part of China, it is not far-fetched that in the future they may likewise claim more foreign territories adjacent to theirs as belonging to China. Such lucid expansionism.
How dare the Chinese leaders say they have “indisputable claims of sovereignty” (by their own history or fable) over the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea when there are other claimant countries like the Philippines that also have “indisputable claims” (by facts and international laws and ruling) over the said same body of waters. What boorish kid game are they playing?
A child being unreasonable and covetous is acceptable, but a country being childish, crafty and greedy toward a fellow country is not.
Isn’t what China has been doing in the disputed sea clearly amounts to bullying? Just because everyone knows they are big and that they believe no one small country like ours would dare oppose/fight their aggression, narcissistic intentions and illegal activities there, they can have what they want in a way they want it, just as a primitive toddler craves and grabs the candies/chocolates of a smaller toddler.
Is this the reason why China doesn’t want the giant US with its equally giant allies to come into the picture when, as a matter of fact, the US is in the picture not to make itself a party to the dispute? The Americans are here through EDCA to protect a friend from being bullied by a bully neighbor. Talk about debunking China’s pretentious arguments and it is right here in this piece.
The Chinese are wrong in thinking that they can have their cake and eat it too. Reason, law and civility are like bread, water and air for any civilized country and people. Barbarism is for the neanderthal and java, cannibalistic creatures. Take away what counts for survival from any human being or any sovereign country for that matter, and you’ll be in big trouble.
Dear China and Russia, we love you. But once again, let this be said: For peace and order in the world, and to save/preserve lives and civilization – let sanity and the United Nations rule. That’s the way for you and all the other nations of the world.
No exception.