China will never compromise to 'paper tigers'
- By Su Xiaohui
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E-mail People's Daily, February 2, 2016
Chinese authorities stated the country's solemn stance on the U.S. warship's incursion and lodged warnings while urging the U.S. side to respect and abide by China's relevant laws. China hopes that the U.S. will make greater efforts to increase mutual trust and safeguard regional peace and stability.
China had its reasons for adopting a low-profile reaction, because China is perfectly clear that Uncle Sam's most recent military action is most likely a bluff. The U.S. military only stated that the vessel "entered" relevant waters without providing further details, leaving room for the audience to imagine the "magnificence" of the U.S. military, which in fact was a hasty passing through.
Pentagon officials avoid describing the confrontation between Chinese and U.S.militaries, stressing the action is merely an "innocent passage". They also lied about not encountering Chinese navy vessels to reduce the acuteness of the conflict.
Also, the U.S. will not challenge China on key issues. After showing its military powers, the U.S. reiterated that it won't take any stand on territorial disputes concerning the South China Sea. This indicates the U.S. is unwilling to go head-on-head with China to spin the situation out of control.
China never flinches from provocations. As proved many times before, provocations from the U.S. will never force China to give up its territorial interests over the South China Sea.
China will continue its legitimate activities and is fully prepared for any provocations regarding the region and is fully capable of defending itself.
So who is the U.S. trying to intimidate? Clearly it does not work on China. However, it could cause worries for neighboring countries around the South China Sea.
China has always given priority to regional peace and stability with the utmost sincerity and has advised the U.S. not to draw fire back on itself. As a responsible major country, China will never stir up regional tensions. It is the U.S. who has been repeatedly sending vessels against China's protestations thus leading to such encounters between both sea and air forces. The U.S. should take both personnel securities into consideration and avoid accidents given its military "professionalism".
The U.S. should bear in mind that China has never been afraid of "paper tigers". Courtesy calls for reciprocity. The U.S. should be a friend, not rival of China.
The author is the Deputy Director of the Department for International and Strategic Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.
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