INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – China’s actions on the West Philippine Sea, including its recent alleged missile testing in Kalayaan Islands, are meant to show their strength to former bullies, a political scientist said on Thursday.
According to Professor Rommel Banlaoi, there are two narratives that can explain China’s behavior in the disputed region — one of which is based on being humiliated by Western powers.
“Tingin ng China, isang daang taon siyang pinahiya ng mga major powers. ‘Yong Great Britain kinuha ang Hong Kong, ‘yong Macau kinuha ng Portugese, at ang Taiwan nahiwalay sa mainland, at ang South China Sea ay napabayaan,” Banlaoi told Radyo Inquirer.
“At ngayon ay nang lumakas na ang China, unti-unti nang nagkakaroon ng capability ang China na maibalik ang kanilang mga nawalang teritoryo, na tinatawag nating the narrative of the lost territory,” he added.
Recently, the United States’ Department of Defense said that they were aware that China tested several anti-ship ballistic missiles last weekend. The Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that they have no knowledge of the incident, although he vowed to conduct their own investigation.
READ: Lorenzana: Philippines to probe China’s missile tests in South China Sea
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim urged the Asian superpower to avoid escalating tensions by refraining from “provocative unilateral actions.”
READ: South China Sea claimants told: ‘Refrain from provocative unilateral actions’
Banlaoi explained that since China believes that the huge part of the West Philippine Sea belongs to them through the nine-dash line claim, it would insist on protecting their “territory.”
“Ang tingin niya [China] sa area na ‘yan ay internal water na kailangan niyang i-protect. Sa tingin ng China, karapatan niyang i-depensa ang kanyang territorial place sa area na ‘yan kaya nagde-develop siya ng military capability,” he said.
“So no’ng araw ay hindi kaya ng China na pigilan ang Estados Unidos sa activities niya sa area na ‘yan. Pero ngayon, sa tagal ng panahon na hindi rin natin napansin, ay naka-develop na pala ng husto ang China at ngayon, very assertive talaga sa kanyang mga territorial place,” he added.
The alleged missile testing is the latest in a string of incidents in the disputed waters. On June 9, a local fishing boat in Recto Bank — withing the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) — sank after allegedly being hit by a Chinese vessel.
The 22 Filipino fishermen were left afloat at sea by the Chinese seafarers. They were eventually rescued by a Vietnamese ship. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
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