IS CHINA TAKING A CUE FROM RUSSIA?

WE can expect severe backlash from China now that the Aquino government has decided to file a memorial before the international tribunal relative to the disputed territories in and around the West Philippine Sea.

The formal protest was triggered by a series of provocative actions by Beijing that included driving away or even firing water cannons on Philippine vessels that sail in the disputed areas.

As it is, could it be that China is taking a cue from Russia as far as dealing and resolving its maritime territorial conflict with the Philippines and its other Asian neighbors are concerned?

We all know that Russia recently annexed Crimea purportedly to protect its Russian speaking citizens from the chaos, after former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power by his pro-western political foes.

Russia’s move was widely condemned by major western powers especially the United States but Putin remained defiant despite threats of massive economic, political and military sanctions from the international community.

The similar openly aggressive and defiant actions that China is taking regarding the maritime dispute should be a cause of great concern especially for our foreign policy officials.

Last March 9, two civilian vessels contracted by the Philippine Navy to conduct troop rotation and resupply operations on Ayungin Shoal were reportedly followed, blocked, harassed and then turned away by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG).

Prior to that incident, last January 27, Filipino fishermen were also driven away by the CCG from Panatag Shoal, by using water cannons which was viewed by many as a clear act of aggression and provocation.

In both occasions, the Philippines’ protests were rejected by the Chinese Embassy citing that it has indisputable sovereignty over nearly 90 percent of entire South China Sea as part of its nine-dash line territorial claim.

Could it be that China is taking a cue from Russia and is using its military might to enforce its claims and later justify its acts by invoking its inherent rights on the disputed territories?

What also concerns me is that China opted to keep silent and refused to join the international community in condemning what Russia had done to Crimea.

While I admire our national leadership for choosing to thread the path of peace by filing formal complaints before the proper international tribunals, China’s somewhat uncooperative acts should serve as red flags for our foreign policy makers.

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IS CHINA TAKING A CUE FROM RUSSIA?