Your commentary on many subjects is hit-and-miss when it comes to China analysis, most especially your fanatical call for military force against a hapless country like the Philippines.
What’s the possible upside for China if it chooses to flex its Leviathan military might against an inconsequential force like the Philippines? Doing so would force the U.S. to commit its forces in defense of a treaty ally. If the U.S. instead absconds from that obligation, it would be tantamount to surrendering the entire Pacific theatre to China. That would effectively nullify the South China Sea disputes not only with the Philippines but with every other claimant as well.
Even if U.S. forces are stretched thin by worldwide commitments, the United States would not be cowed by such circumstances. It would still fight head-on if forced into the conflict. In fact, what appears to be a clear Chinese advantage would likely become a powerful rallying cry for the U.S. and its like-minded allies. They would coalesce around a desperate fight against a clear bully: China. Such an attack could create a unifying message and purpose for a country and people who are currently rudderless and consumed by fractious social, political, and spiritual infighting. A Chinese strike on the Philippines would awaken the American spirit and sense of unity on a scale we have not seen in decades.
I frankly see no upside to this most idiotic push you’re clamoring for. Doing so would bring a precipitous halt to China’s ascent, an ascent that is all but guaranteed barring the kind of idiotic actions advocated by Napoleonic strategists like you and the many wannabe Genghis Khans whose lasting legacies are fantasized about by bloodthirsty idiots and numbskulls. That would be a tragedy of epic proportions for China if it were arrogant and foolish enough to use force preemptively against the Philippines.
Here is the problem with your thinking. You are thinking as if US is willing to fight the ultimate climactic war against China. But it is not. They are afraid and unwilling to commit. So, if what China wants is a limited slap in face of Philippines, US will allow it and make up excuses.
For example, China builds in Scarborough. China takes over Second Thomas Shoal and forces PH to vacate their ship. Could these moves cause a small skirmish between the two forces?
Yes, it might. But my analysis is that this skirmish will remain limited. Philippines will huff and puff in the media but ultimately chicken out of a climactic battle. US will also huff and puff in the media, make tough statements, likely donate Phillipines with a huge amount of weapons. But again, ultimately, do nothing.
China needs to start makings slaps like this against US allies to show both US and its allies the limits of US power and the ultimate strength that China posseses. It will allow China to slowly move US out of the region and its allies will be forced to change their worldview and allow Pro-China politicians to gain power.
I think it will also help China win over Taiwan without a fight. If China shows it has the guts to fire against US allies and US has no choice but to allow it, then Taiwan's thinking that it can save itself by relying on US will be slowly broken. It will start a process that will elect pro-China politicians and ultimately peaceful reunification.
China cannot cower away while US allies keep making moves against it. It needs to take some decisive limited actions. It needs start firing some bullets sometimes. No more water cannons.
China has enough power now that it can start making some moves. It needs to take some risks. If it always stays of harms way and never take any risks, it will never make good gains.