In light of the story so far of the clashes between China and other countries in the South China Sea, and particularly in light of the fights China has been picking with the Philippines, the seemingly neutral November 15 Reuters headline “China says Philippines sent supplies to disputed shoal” gives the impression that the Philippines has done something wrong.
Perhaps the Philippines violated a solemn pact with bullying totalitarian China to never have anything to do with any disputed part of the South China Sea, which China claims to own most of; thereby neglecting to “honor its commitments, work with China in the same direction, and jointly manage the maritime situation.”
Alternate headline
Why doesn’t the Reuters headline instead say “China, which won’t mind its own business when other countries go about their business in waters of the South China Sea near their own countries, is again yapping obnoxiously about the Philippines”?
The meaning of China’s statement about how the Philippines has resupplied somebody on the shoal is elaborated in the report. The Chinese government is again implying that if and when Chinese vessels do not ram, water-cannon, or torpedo a Philippine vessel that has journeyed into disputed parts of the South China Sea, the explanation is that the Philippine ship has been allowed to function by the gracious and forbearing permission of China.
The further implication is that the Philippines needs the bully’s permission; also, that Philippines has in fact sought and received the bully’s permission.
Reuters: “China’s Coast Guard said the supply run had proceeded ‘with permission’ to what it considers an ‘illegally’ beached ship. The Philippine Coast Guard had no immediate response to China’s claim, which it has previously made, that it had allowed the mission to proceed.”
Already answered
The Philippine government may have made no immediate response on this occasion. But it has made clear in response to similar claims by China that no, the Philippines did not seek and did not receive permission from China to conduct the resupply mission.
A spokesman for the China Coast Guard says: “It is hoped the Philippines will honor its commitments, work with China in the same direction, and jointly manage the maritime situation.”
We’ve heard this flashcard propaganda before; all of China’s diplomats and other spokesmen read from the same pack of flashcards. The translation of this one: “We hope that the Philippines will surrender, surrender, and surrender.”
