As a country that shares its borders with 14 neighbors, China has decided to take an offensive approach in its world affairs. China’s geographical position in Asia, especially in regards to its ports, would, without their strategic and aggressive maneuvering, completely contain their sphere of influence to the mainland.
After all, countries such as Japan and the Philippines, who are allies of the United States, have a geographical advantage that allows them to have open access to the Pacific Ocean as well as steer China’s naval trade. Furthermore, Taiwan poses as a hindrance to China’s ability to reach the Pacific Ocean in order to trade with other countries.
As a result, China has begun to claim disputed islands in the South China Sea in order to bypass its neighbors who block them in. According to the article, China has already transformed seven reefs into artificial islands as well as has built both a naval and air force on them.
Despite the dissatisfaction of many protesters in the Philippines, the government of the Philippines is taking a moderate approach to China’s aggression. As the article states, President Rodrigo Duterte does not wish to go to war over this territory. However, he has informed his neighboring countries that any extraction of resources from his country’s sphere of influence will result in naval altercations.
Duterte’s stance on this situation is in due to China’s prestige and power, of which he knows his country is not able to combat on its own strength. Despite the wealth China will gain by maintaining control over these artificial islands, I believe this was the best political move the Philippines could make in regards to keeping itself as a (minor) global player. Besides, China has not crossed over into the Philippines sphere of influence and therefore has not posed too much of a threat for the country.