The Philippines blindly upping the ante by betting on US backing for its brinkmanship: China Daily editorial
China DailyRen'ai Reef The record of the law enforcement actions taken by the China Coast Guard so far this year shows that two-fourths of them have been in response to provocations by the Philippines. In February alone, the CCG released at least five notices or statements on measures that it had been forced to take because of the Philippines' provocative activities around Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, namely Huangyan Island and Ren'ai Reef. Taking advantage of the restraint China has shown, the Philippines has sent its coast guard ships, government vessels and fishing boats to repeatedly trespass into waters adjacent to Huangyan Island. The Foreign Ministry's confirmation that China has recently reinstalled a barrier at the mouth of Huangyan Island in the South China Sea should drive home the message that China has both the resolve and the capability to counter the provocative intrusions by the Philippines. It is at the incitement of Washington that Manila has recklessly upped the ante with its antics in the South China Sea since last year.