Yohanna Ririhena
Last week China’s official media outlet said that nations involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea should “mentally prepare for the sounds of cannons” if they remain at loggerheads with Beijing. This rhetoric has raised eyebrows and has prompted many to justify concerns that China is a real threat to regional security.
In its editorial, the Global Times accused countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines of taking advantage of China’s mild diplomatic stance to push their own agenda. “If these countries don’t want to change their ways with China, they will need to mentally prepare for the sound of cannons. We need to be ready for that, as it may be the only way for disputes at sea to be resolved.”
In its editorial, the Global Times accused countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines of taking advantage of China’s mild diplomatic stance to push their own agenda. “If these countries don’t want to change their ways with China, they will need to mentally prepare for the sound of cannons. We need to be ready for that, as it may be the only way for disputes at sea to be resolved.”
Read the full story at The Jakarta Post