Which way will the Philippines choose?

(People's Daily Online)

On the issue of South China Sea, there are only three ways for the Philippines to choose. First, rethink profoundly and resume friendly relations with China. In other words, the Philippines should strictly observe the principles of Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and promote the strategic cooperative relations for peace and development with China. After the tensions over Huangyan Island, the Philippines has done a self-examination that the government should focus on the domestic economic development and deal with tensions over Huangyan Islands properly. The Chinese side consistently upholds that before the dispute of South China Sea is resolved some nations concerned should actively discuss how to develop the related sea areas with each other while putting controversies aside, which is in line with common interests of the nations involved. If the Philippines chooses this way, it will embrace a bright future. Second, stir up new conflicts on purpose and lead the Sino-Philippine relations to a dead end. They include sending fishing boats, administrative ships and even naval vessels and airplanes to intrude into Huangyan Island and adjacent territorial waters and air space, illegal exploration and bidding of oil and gas in Chinese waters, harassment and arrest of Chinese fishermen who operate under normal conditions, promotion of the so-called "sovereign consolidation" on the islands illegally occupied by the Philippines, as well as " ASEANize" and "internationalize" the issue of South China Sea which means siding with the U.S. against China. However, this way will be narrower and darker. Of course, it cannot be excluded that the Philippines will tend to continue the third way. It hopes to maintain the relationship with China in attempt to benefit from China's rapid economic development while nibbling China's territorial sovereignty and ocean interests in the South China Sea. Specifically speaking, the Philippines intends to not only seek economic and trading advantages from China but also gain security guarantee from America. Importance to the Sino-Philippine relations is merely attached verbally. On the surface the Philippines is willing to resolve the disputes through peaceful means while it sabotages the relations in secret. In this way, the Philippines will play so many petty tricks as to create troubles for itself. Which way will the Philippines choose after all?