In all fairness to your points I agree with you emphatically on what your wrote, my question and rebuttal was not meant to attack your ideas but want to flesh out your ideas to see how far and how serious you are with such approach. In any case, your mentality is no different than Mr. Lu Feng of Peking University. He expressed an almost similar sentiment to yours in light of the Chip ban/tech ban enacted by the Biden administration along with the agreement and coalescing of its minions: The Netherlands, Japan, South Korea.
“There is a common saying in Beijing that describes typical human behaviour: you can't suppress your anger when you see a coward [见怂人压不住火]. When you think about it, this saying is actually talking about human nature. The more China backs down, the more frequent and heavier the blows [by the US] will become. Thus, it is time for China to harden its fist and develop the ability to grab hold of the other side by the ‘throat’ [扼住对方的‘咽喉’的功力]. Only then will the other party acknowledge that we both belong to a ‘community with a shared future for mankind’.”
If you're interested, you should read his interview I posted at length on the semiconductor thread.
thank you for your reply. I do not consider myself a hardliner, in fact, I long for peace in Asia (and global peace for that matter) because a war-torn Asia only serves US interests.
Yes, we would like to have talks and diplomatic solutions to common problems and all that, however, the other partners are not playing ball, and the realities of realpolitik in SCS call for China to show a stronger and more determined hand in the affairs of SCS. Serve your "friends" drinks, but show them your rifles should they act funny.
having said that, the responses from China should still be rational and proportional:
1, China is not going to invade the PH proper because of the perceived threat and unfriendly act. However, those bases in northern Luzon will be legitimate targets once hostilities commence.
2, China should commence the construction of Huangyan Shoal to show determination that China will protect its own core interests. And such construction should be conducted in the open and with a big fanfare for all ASEAN countries to see. China MEANS business and
FIGHT it at your own risk is the message to the surrounding countries. Call it coercion, call it a warning, call it a warm reminder, whatever. Just do not think one can
ACT to antagonize China's core interests with American "support" which is thin and fickle anyway.
3, By standing up and being counted, surrounding countries realize that China really means business, and hopefully be persuaded not to align totally with American interests at the expense of China.
4, the construction of the Huangyan Shoal, once commenced, would force the PH government to negotiate seriously with China. The pace of construction could then be adjusted to suit China's interests.
have to run off for a meeting, I shall continue to share more thoughts later.
