PerryScope
By Perry Diaz
Ceremony marking the establishment of Sansha city on Woody Island on July 24, 2012 (Photo credit: Xinhua)
In the 1886 novel, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” the author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about strange occurrences between Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. As the story goes, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were two personalities within one person or commonly known as “split personality.”
In recent years, China – or her government – manifested a “Jekyll and Hyde” behavior in dealing with other countries particularly some of the neighbors with whom she was involved in territorial disputes in the Spratly archipelago, Paracel Islands, and Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
It is not uncommon to see China pursuing diplomatic and peaceful resolution of territorial issues with five other claimants of disputed territories one day and coerce or bully them the next day. But of the claimants, it is the Philippines and Vietnam who are getting the brunt of China’s aggression.
On January 19, 1974, China and South Vietnam fought over control of the uninhabited Paracel Islands, which both countries claimed. In a naval battle, China defeated the Vietnamese forces. As a result, China gained control over all of the Paracel Islands including Woody Island, which is the largest island in the Paracels and Spratlys.
Gunboat diplomacy
In my article, “China’s gunboat diplomacy” (July 19, 2012), I wrote: “China’s intrusive and aggressive behavior during the past two decades attests to her determination to annex the entire West Philippine Sea and exercise total military and economic control over this mineral-rich region.
Chinese-occupied and fortified Mischief Reef (Pangilinan Reef) in the Spratly archipelago.
“It is interesting to note that in 1994, two years after the Philippine Senate evicted American military bases from the country; China started her ‘creeping invasion’ of Philippine territory in the disputed Spratly archipelago. While the Philippine Navy was not patrolling the area around the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, 130 miles away from Palawan, due to the monsoon season, Chinese troops occupied the reef and initially built structures on stilts. But other than lodging diplomatic protests against the incursion, the Philippine government couldn’t do much. Today, the Panganiban Reef is fortified with permanent buildings and naval guns. China also delineated a prohibited area within 60 miles of the reef.
“Last June, after more than two months of standoff, Chinese gunboats effectively took de facto possession of the Panatag Shoal when they prevented a Philippine Coast Guard vessel and fishing boats from entering the lagoon inside the shoal.
“Several weeks ago, China demanded that the Philippine government dismantle an elementary school on Pagasa Island in the Kalayaan group of islands in the Spratly archipelago.”
Sansha City
On July 24, 2012, in her boldest move to date, China established the prefecture-level government in Sansha City located in Woody Island, which will administer all of the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Macclesfield Bank. Woody Island — which was uninhabited when China took it 38 years ago — is now populated with more than 1,000 Chinese civilians with roads, a bank, a post office, a supermarket, and a hospital. Interestingly, Sansha is the smallest prefecture-level city by both population and land area (13 square kilometers or five square miles) but the largest by water area with a claimed two million square kilometers (772,000 square miles). In addition to the city government, China is also going to establish a military garrison in Sansha to protect her territory and sovereignty over the entire South China Sea.
Vietnam and the Philippines immediately protested China’s action. In response, China warned them against meddling in her internal affairs.
The United States was not pleased in the sudden turn of events in the disputed area. The U.S. spokesman said that China’s action runs counter to “collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region.”
Jekyll and Hyde
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, through the official news agency Xinhua, reiterated that the establishment of the city of Sansha was “an issue within China’s sovereignty.” However, it said that China would “continue to be committed to seeking appropriate solutions through bilateral negotiations and consultations with the parties directly involved in the concerned disputes.”
Defense Minister Liang Guanglie speaking on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army.
But a few days later, on the eve of the 85th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s tone dramatically changed. At a press conference during a reception in Beijing attended by — in a rare appearance — all of the nine members of the Political Bureau (Politburo) Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a Defense Ministry spokesman said, “The system was established to maintain the country’s territorial sovereignty and safeguard its maritime rights, and it is not targeting any other country or specific goals.” When asked on the possibility of conflict, the spokesman replied, “China has indisputable sovereign rights over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, and the military opposes any outside military intervention in this area.”
The disparate responses of China’s Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry reveal the “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome that pervades in the way China deals with other countries.
In recent years, China started using “soft power” as a way of winning the confidence of other nations of her peaceful intention – of showing the whole world that she is no longer the “Red Menace” that tried to export the Maoist brand of communism to third world countries.
The big beneficiaries of China’s “soft power” are countries in Africa where China is pouring money in various infrastructures, economic, and cultural projects. But China has a selfish motive: to protect her foothold in Africa where 15% of her oil comes from. That’s her Dr. Jekyll personality.
But China’s use of brute force and bullying tactics in taking the whole South China Sea shows an aggressive personality. Her refusal to bring the territorial disputes for arbitration in the United Nations is causing tension to rise among her neighbors. She’d tell them that she’s ready to go to war to protect her sovereignty over the South China Sea, which she claims as non-negotiable “core national interest.” That’s her Mr. Hyde personality.
War with the U.S.
Indeed, the PLA has been preparing to go to war with the United States. Charles Smith, a noted investigative journalist, wrote in his article, “China threatens to nuke America” (March 4, 2000): “A recently-declassified Chinese military document states communist China will first conduct a ‘Vietnam’-like conventional war against American forces, and then eventually fight a nuclear war against the U.S. homeland.
“According to the August 1999 policy document published by the People’s Liberation Army Office of the Central Military Command, China is ‘willing to sustain major losses of our armed forces’ in exchange for large losses of U.S. military personnel. The Central Military Command is the party command structure of the People’s Liberation Army — that is, the people who make policy for the Chinese military.
“ ‘If the U.S. forces lose thousands or hundreds of men under our powerful strikes, the anti-war sentiment within their country will force the U.S. government to take the same path as they did in Viet Nam,’ states the Chinese army document.”
Since then, China has changed direction; however, she didn’t lose sight of her objective. She is now balancing her act between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But make no mistake; it’s her dangerous Mr. Hyde personality that should be watched closely.
China should not make the same mistake as the Japanese did by occupying Chinas prior to WW II, or Germany did in WW II.
The American public has little stomach for the engagements we’ve had in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, due to lack of understanding “why “.
However, most American understand the US and CHina are on a collision course, and a conflict of that scale would only bring all Americans together for one purpose. Lets hope it never happens, but don’t think our resolve to engage on a major scale is lacking.
Hi Tom,
The U.S. and China are on a collision course. China needs oil to feed her economic engine and fish to feed her people. The South China Sea is rich in oil and fish. China plans to send 5,000 fishing boats manned by 100,000 Chinese fishermen-militiamen to the South China Sea.
Perry
For now China is no match with US MILITARY power, eventually, China will catch up and she is following the US Policy of “Talk softly but carry a big stick behind you.”
With her 1.5 billion people, she does not need big guns to invade any Pacific Rim countries. All she need is to let go her citizen TO carry a noodle stick to overpower any small country or even the USA. They are just too many. RP’s big mistake is to let go of the Americans in 1992 and left the country vulnerable to foreign powers like China. Now, the best thing to do, is to amend the constitution or enact laws to let the USA in or get million signatures to make it a State or a Commonwealth of the USA to again be protected from the China’s menace. Without protection from the U.S. RP can be invaded and make it a province of China. Then China make all Pinoys except the Chinoys her slaves or be eradicated thru famine, disease and mass murder. That is the big price RP will pay for her complacency in not modernizing her military and be complacent with her interest and be like a JUAN TAMAD or El Indio.
Hi AlbertO,
China always has her eyes set on the Philippines. Imagine the mineral and marine resources she could get out of the archipelago. China wants to establish a monopoly like what Japan did when she established the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere to control Asian countries free from Western powers. China is targeting the 10 ASEAN countries, which includes the Philippines.
Perry
It is like a chess game. They made their moves, took territory and threatened any country who intervenes with their strong navy and military force.
What can you do? Nothing!!!
Pnoy is like a dog running away with the tail between his legs.
PNoy’s option at the present time is to press the UN to intervene even though there’s no guarantee that the Chinese government will even listen to what the UN will recommend. PNoy may be a head of state, but when you’re the leader of country whose military can’t even defeat a small terrorist group holed up in a tiny island down south or a communist wannabe insurgency group that’s nothing more that a pesky mosquito on our government’s ass, you really don’t have much option. We really haven’t heard anything from all our political experts like Santiago, Enrile, Lacson and what about our expert military mutineer, Honasan. Where are they on this of issue. Heck, these people are probably getting ready to find an exit route when it’s time to bail out.
Hi Noah,
Not too long ago, Lacson and Honasan suggested that the Philippines sign a mutual defense treaty with China. I don’t know if they still want to pursue that.
Perry
Those pesky little yellow vermint who will not even let us talk to their Chinay daughters. They are so prejudice, they married our Pinays and made a dozen children so they wont be deported back to Hongkong or Taiwan. Yet they won’t let Pinoy marry their daughters. They are so bad. The crooked politicians let them in the country for a price. I will admit they have good looking Chinays. Ang sarap himayin. Pero di puwedeng pakasalan. Bawal. Puwedeng hit and run na lang.
Hey Perry,
Good story, my man. To me, whether it’s Jekyll or Hyde, when the shooting war starts, I am sure pagbubuhulin lang ni Uncle Sam China’s Hyde&Jekyll.
But the Philippines would be right in the middle of this war. Baka ang mga Sundalong Kanin natin, gawin lang pambala ng kanyon ng mga Intsik o ng mga Kano.
As I’ve been saying over and over, what the WaWa We Land needs to do is to BEG our good Uncle to come back. PeeNoy’s plan of asking the UN to intervene ain’t gonna work. In fact, it’s a stupid idea from a stupid man.
Again, let’s bring back the Kanos to PI. Tapos ang problema. Aalis yan mga Intsik. And the Chinese Hyde&Jekyll ay maghaha-hide and turned into jerkers.
Whatever China covets, China gets. Remember Tibet? Their claim is based on the name South CHINA Sea on old maps. West PHILIPPINE Sea came too late!
Russia is presently expanding its influence in Asia by industrializing Siberia’s Far East region, particularly its only port city in Far East Asia – Vladivostok.
There were historical facts that these 2 giants in area and population have fought and grab each other’s territory.
And not too long ago, Russia arrested Chinese fishing vessel when it allegedly intruded into Russia’s Asian fishing ground.
But, recently China got the upper hand in reclaiming portion of their territories from Russia through diplomatic agreement.
It is possible that eventually the friendly relation between Russia and China may get sour again in the event China or Russia will intrude into each other’s land and sea territory, as in the past.
When I toured China last year, our tourist guide emphasized to us that the original GREAT WALL occupied portion of present-day TAJIKISTAN in Central Asia extending up to a portion of present-day NORTH KOREA (you may review the world map).
That alone, coming from Chinese students of history, will give us an idea that China’s issue with Russia is not yet over.
As to PHL stand, I am still in favor of pursuing
• diplomatic approach
• continuous filing of charges at UN level
• insist on the completion of Code of Conduct at ASEAN level regarding the common peaceful use of disputed Pacific South Sea
• battle-ready
• boycott Made in China products and services
• play “chess diplomacy” with Russia (you know what I mean)
Interesting. But will it work? Or, is it merely “pursuing” or as that song goes, dreaming “the impossible dream” for Inang Bayan?
Kill Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will die
It’s not “split personality”. It is “multiple personality”.
I agree what Jesse Jose said to bring back the Americans to get back on their bases. This Chinease bullying did not happen if those dirty dozen senators did not kick out the Canos from their bases. Where are those brainless senators now who played to be a pony nationalistic hero. They seems to be quite and they can not swallow their pride to bring back the CANOS.
HI Rex,
It’s time to amend the Constitution and remove the provision that prohibits U.S. military bases in the Philippines. They’d better do it soon else the Chinese would soon slicing the Philippines like salami.
Perry
Sorry that I feel so upset when I think of the dirty dozen Senators PONY nationalistic heroes who are instrumental in kicking out Uncle Sam from the military bases.What makes me upset about this incident is when they were kicking out the American servicemen they said ” You Yankees go home BUT PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU. I love to be in America so I can buy my mansion and have my children study and have their master’s degree in Harvard.” And they called themselves nationalistic heroes by amending the constitution to prohibits the Americans to use their Military bases. As a result of this stupidity by our corrupt politician we end up with this Chinese aggression in our own backyard. I bet you this could not happen if the Kanos are in our backyard.
Hi Rex,
You’re right! It reminds me during the martial law when Marcos went after the leftists. A lot of them escaped the country and sought asylum in the U.S. Why didn’t they go to the USSR or China then? Instead they went to America they they claimed they hate. There is only one word to describe them — hypocrite!
Perry
My father, a WWII vet and still alive, living in the Philippines has a dual citizenship, and enjoying the blessings of both countries. He, among 250,000 US vets, living in the Philippines, I am sure, would want the US Naval base at Subic and Clark Airbase in Pampanga be reactivated. This would ensure that the South China sea remain as an international water, and not as the claimed territory of China.
Hi Pons,
An American military presence in the Philippines is the only way to deter China from invading our country. China already grabbed the Panganiban Reef, Panatag Shoal, and the Macclesfile Bank. Waht’s next, Palawan?
Perry
More likely the next land they will claim they owned is our country the PHILIPPINES since there are a lot of rich Chinese now living in PINAS, including PNoy since he has a Chinese blood.
Hi Rex,
If China takes over Pinas, P-Noy would become the first Tsinoy emperor of Pinas.
Perry
Perry U R right, They better do it now while PNoy is still the president. You never can tel that might be their plans thats why they started doing it first in the Philippines seas and next getting closer now to Malacaniang, ha ha he he