BEIJING, June 4 -- During his ongoing visit in Japan, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has made various remarks showing his ignorance of history and disregard for basic facts regarding the South China Sea. Here are few examples of his absurd remarks, and reasons why Aquino is markedly wrong in making such statements:
1. Aquino likened China to Nazi Germany, by hinting at similarities between Beijing's land-reclamation in the South China Sea and Nazi Germany's expansionist moves before World War II.
Comment: Though calling himself an amateur learner of history, Aquino is ignorant both of history and reality. China's claim of the South China Sea islands is about protecting its sovereignty, which cannot be compared to Nazi Germany's expansion prior to World War II.
And a simple review of Beijing-Manila interaction on South China Sea will allow one to find that it's the Philippines, not China, that has played a provocative role.
2, "The prosperity of maritime and coastal East and Southeast Asia, which relies greatly on the free movement of goods and peoples, is at risk of being disrupted by attempts to redraw the geographic limits and entitlement outside those clearly bestowed by the law of nations."
Comments: By saying so, Aquino actually intends to rally support for Philippines' South China Sea claims by painting a bleak picture for navigation freedom in the area.
As a matter of fact, navigation freedom on South China Sea has never been affected by territorial and maritime disputes between related countries and moreover, China has spearheaded efforts to ensure navigation freedom on the waterway.
3, "We (Philippines and Japan) are both constantly willing to dialogue, bending over backwards to de-escalate tensions despite repeatedly getting rebuffed, and still trying to resolve disagreements through peaceful means and internationally recognized norms."
Comment: Aquino is really keen on giving Manila credit for something it has never been bothered to do. Manila has in the past few years spared no effort to defame China as a bullying power on the South China issue and that is by no means an act of restraint.
Manila has also made waves on the South China Sea by colluding with regional players and even outside power to selfish gains.
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