The US and Vietnam kicked off a five-day naval exchange Monday, but no live-fire exercises were planned. As the naval standoff between China and the Philippines near Huangyan Island still goes on, and joint military drills between the US and the Philippines continue, this naval exchange could mean a lot.
The biggest pressure China faces in the South China Sea comes from Washington, which easily wins support from Manila and Hanoi. China faces various regional players in this region on its own. At the moment, joint military drills are being conducted between China and Russia in the Yellow Sea. But that doesn't help solve problems in the South China Sea.
The US has no legal ground to interfere in Manila and Hanoi's disputes with China. Besides bracing Manila and Hanoi, these joint drills do not have substantial military meaning.
China should ignore Washington's role in the South China Sea disputes. We accept neither any South China Sea-related political proposal that Washington joins, nor any meditation that Washington seeks between China and other South China Sea claimants.
Facing disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam, China should prioritize negotiations, while getting prepared for possible military clashes. Once a battle erupts, China should determinedly wipe out their participating naval forces. If they keep provoking, China should prepare to upgrade the battle into a medium-sized war.
China should get prepared for Washington's possible interference. The US has no strategic will to get involved in a serious conflict with China in the South China Sea. China should not give up exerting pressure on Manila and Hanoi due to worries about the US.
China must clearly demonstrate its sincerity to solve the South China Sea disputes through peaceful means, and seek to establish a rule of "peaceful frictions" in this region. Even if a battle erupts, China should not only conduct determined strikes, but should end them in a timely fashion.
Some China observers claim that no matter what provocations come from Manila and Hanoi, China will not fight back before the 18th CPC National Congress this fall. We should move against this thinking.
The recent period has seen frequent marine disputes in China's neighboring seas. But China has the strength to deal with them. China should select the most arrogant provocateur, conduct comprehensive strikes, and exert pressure economically, politically and militarily. If the water overwhelms China's knees, other countries will find their necks in the water.
The article is an editorial published in the Chinese edition of the Global Times Tuesday. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn